Our journey to better, more meaningful diversity and inclusion at Smart Works Reading
Part One
By Sarah Burns MBE, Chair of Smart Works Reading
Improving diversity and inclusion within our Smart Works family of staff, volunteers, board and ambassadors has been our aspiration at Smart Works Reading and our board over the years. However, even though we had the intention and the drive to learn more, I felt that each step forward was a “happy and positive accident” rather than a decision we made based on fact, research and knowing that it would have a positive impact.
During the last year, amidst global diversity and inclusion conversations, we renewed our focus and looked inward, again. From discussions at various levels, focused research and industry precedence we knew the time for growth was today.
So, we took steps, to move us from ‘accidental positives’ to intentional growth, in all areas of our organisation including building more representation across our organisation, actively safeguarding our inclusion practices and ensuring that we had a feedback loop to continue our learning journey.
We discussed within the board to try to gain an understanding as to where we were and wanted to be and we challenged ourselves to reflect on pertinent questions relating to all aspects of our organisation.
· Defining diversity and inclusion for us.
· Identifying the gaps in representation.
· Why some of our hiring practices brought together like-minded people instead of promoting plurality of thought
· How we, in harmony with SWHQ, work together to improve across all centres, given that at the same time as we were conducting our research, SWHQ ran a survey about D&I across the volunteer and board community. Their findings as detailed below echoed ours and we realised there was room to do so much more together.
Lack of diversity within the staff, volunteers, trustees, and ambassadors
The need for better data, metrics and KPIs
Amplifying client voices
A truly inclusive wardrobe and dressing service is important
To progress, we engaged a good friend and long-time supporter of Smart Works Reading — Aduke Onafowokan Principal Consultant, Inclusivitii, International D and I Specialist and Founder, The Sister Sister Global Network. Aduke has a wealth of experience , skills and knowledge around not only D and I, but Smart Works, and the challenges that businesses small and large face when looking to improve their D and I. Aduke offered us an effective model to start the journey.
LEARN
REFLECT
ACT
The outcome from the workshop concluded in highlighting a clear starting point for us by creating a better pathway from client to board:
· Focus on inclusivity so that we can create a lasting and self-sustaining approach
· Importance of measuring and tracking our diversity so we have stats to refer to
· How do we engage our client base for ongoing involvement?
· Do we have an obvious point once the client has succeeded in getting the job to ask if they would like to support us/volunteer with us?
· What does best practice look like? Do we utilise specialist board advisors?
2021 will bring opportunity for us to build on our D&I at Smart Works Reading and ensure that we are actively making the right decisions, using sensitive and open language, and building a more inclusive culture and team.
Let me know your thoughts, what does inclusion mean to you and your organisation? How do you approach improving your D and I across your teams?
Sarah Burns MBE — Chair, Smart Works Reading
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Smart Works Reading is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity. Company registered in England and Wales №626510. Registered Charity №1164723. Registered Office: 94 London St, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 4SJ Tel: 0118 9594245
