Join the Pride Network
The pride network aims to raise the profile of LGBT+ people within the workforce, to support and improve policies and services so that they are more LGBT-friendly, and to help raise awareness of homophobia, biphobia and transphobia, as well as advancing equality of opportunity for LGBT+ people across Derbyshire.
The network undertakes a range of activities including partnership working with the Derbyshire Network Alliance which includes:
- Derbyshire Police
- Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service
- Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust
- Derby University
- Derby City Council
- Derbyshire LGBT+
- Rolls-Royce
- East Midlands Railway
We also attend Pride events to promote our services to the LGBT+ community and work to raise the profile of national and international events such as LGBT history month, International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia and Transgender Awareness week.
The pride network has a MS Team to host meetings and information sharing. Moving forward we hope to hold hybrid meetings and organise social events.
Aims
The pride network aims to:
- provide a safe, respectful, confidential and supportive environment for employees from across the organisation to discuss issues relating to LGBT+ which encourage a working environment where all can feel safe and confident to be themselves and perform to the best of their ability within the organisation
- encrease the visibility of employees who identify as LGBT+, promoting equality across the organisation by supporting personal and career development
- inform and influence the council’s approach to LGBT+ inclusion issues and contribute experience, expertise and ideas to Improve the quality of services we offer our customers, especially those who identify as LGBT+
- act as a consultation body on issues relating to the specific needs of LGBT+ employees
- provide opportunities for networking and organise awareness raising activities for employees relevant to the group, celebrating difference and diversity and challenging intolerance to the wider community
- liaise with internal departments and external organisations on relevant issues
- be actively involved and engaged in the development and implementation of the council's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy
- collaborate with other employee support networks to share information and good practice
Membership
The membership is open to all our employees supporting the aims of the network. We also welcome contact, attendance and comments from school staff, external organisations, partners and LGBT networks, including those from members of the wider community of Derbyshire.
Confidentiality of membership will be respected.
Meet some of the Pride network members.
Ways of working
The group is independent and self-managed.
The network will appoint network leads to ensure that it runs fairly and smoothly - particular roles include facilitator roles, for example chair and secretary.
Support roles within the group (like chairing meetings, taking notes, organising events) are fulfilled by those willing to volunteer their assistance, with due recognition recorded in personal development review (My Plan).
The network will have facilitator and co-facilitator who organise, arrange and agree the hosting of meetings supported by the rest of the group. The facilitator post will run for a 12-month time period being agreed by consensus each April.
Time
Three hours per quarter of paid time off is provided for employees to attend meetings, and additional time subject to the needs of the service. Time for meetings is recorded as ‘working time’ in SAP.
Additional times include:
- specific meetings or forums where network leads and / or members attend to represent views of the network
- planning time for network facilitators to organise meeting or to respond to the needs of the service
- training and workshops essential to support network leads members development
Meetings can be held virtually, in person at suitable locations, or based on a hybrid approach, depending on the consensus of the network and in line with the council's health and safety guidance.
The network will nominate a representative to attend the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Workforce Workstream group and relevant sub-groups in order to support the priorities within the EDI Strategy.
Finances
A budget of £1,500 is available to support and facilitate network's activities, for example, costs of venues, guest speakers accessed through HR.
Meetings
Meetings are open to all interested employees.
16 April 2024
Pride Network meeting from 2pm to 4pm on Teams. Our service development officer will talk about the work of the public health mental health and suicide prevention team, the mental health first aider network and neurodiversity.
17 May 2024
International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. Subject to confirmation it is expected the Pride Progress flag will be flown from County Hall and countryside service centres.
19 June 2024
Pride Network meeting from 2pm to 4pm on Teams. Pride month. Subject to confirmation we will be discussing and planning for our representation and attendance at Chesterfield Pride on 21 July 2024 and Pride in Belper on 3 August 2024.
Thursday 14 November 2024
Pride Network meeting from 2pm to 4pm on Teams. A focus on Transgender Awareness Week.
Please email pride.network@derbyshire.gov.uk for further information and future meeting dates.