Celebrating Pride Month

No one deserves to feel unimportant, irrelevant or like who they love defines them. Love is love and that's why we support pride month.

Stephen Swain, Youth Support Coordinator at Young Epilepsy

We are committed to ensuring that everyone that interacts with Young Epilepsy feels valued, respected, and celebrated for who they are. Together, we can create a future where diversity is embraced, and everyone has the opportunity to thrive. 

We are committed to ensuring that everyone that interacts with Young Epilepsy feels valued, respected, and celebrated for who they are. Together, we can create a future where diversity is embraced, and everyone has the opportunity to thrive. 

Tailored Support 

We understand that every individual’s needs are different. By listening to and understanding the diverse backgrounds and experiences of young people and their families, we can offer support that is personalised and respectful of their identity. 

Creating Safe Spaces 

Creating safe and welcoming environments is at the heart of what we do. Whether it's our facilities or the services we offer, we aim to ensure everything is inclusive and accessible. No matter your sexual orientation or gender identity, everyone is welcome. 

All our groups and meet-ups in person or online provide a safe space for often marginalised groups of children and young people. Our online youth groups are a safe haven for young people to be themselves, and express their fears, joys or triumphs when dealing with their condition. 

Celebrating Diversity 

2023 saw Young Epilepsy march in Pride London for the first time. With a mix of staff and young people we showed up and celebrated! Thanks to staff like Stephen, we are able to offer positive and joyful experiences to honour diversity in our community.

A More Inclusive Workplace 

As we celebrate Pride Month, we're taking this opportunity to reflect on our journey towards creating a more inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone working at Young Epilepsy. We believe that promoting a culture of diversity and inclusion within our organisation is essential. By doing so, we are better equipped to support our beneficiaries in a way that respects and celebrates their individuality. 

  1. Diversity and Inclusion Training:  

We have implemented comprehensive training programs for all staff to raise awareness and understanding of LGBTQ+ issues. These sessions are designed to educate our team on the importance of diversity, how to support LGBTQ+ colleagues, and how to challenge discrimination effectively. 

  2. Inclusive Policies and Practices:  

Our policies are continuously reviewed and updated to ensure they promote equity and inclusivity. We are taking steps to introduce policies that explicitly protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, ensuring that everyone feels safe and respected at work. 

  3. Support Networks and Resources:  

We have established support networks for LGBTQ+ staff, providing a safe space for individuals to share experiences and seek advice. Additionally, we offer resources and support for those who may be questioning their identity or need assistance navigating their journey. 

Events:  

Throughout the year, we celebrate key events such as Pride Month, Transgender Awareness Week, and LGBTQ+ History Month. These celebrations are not only an opportunity to show our support but also to educate and inform our staff about the rich diversity within our community. 

Inclusive Recruitment Practices:  

Our recruitment processes are designed to attract a diverse pool of candidates. We are committed to ensuring that our job advertisements and hiring practices are free from bias, promoting a workforce that reflects the diverse community we serve. 

Feedback and Continuous Improvement:  

We actively seek feedback from our staff and beneficiaries to identify areas for improvement. This ongoing dialogue helps us to continually refine our approach and ensures that our efforts to promote inclusivity are effective and meaningful.