Age UK West Sussex, Brighton & Hove honoured with Brighton & Hove Switchboard LGBTQ+ Inclusion Award
– 2 min read
Age UK West Sussex, Brighton & Hove (Age UK WSBH) has been recognised for its commitment to inclusivity with the Brighton & Hove Switchboard LGBTQ+ Inclusion Award. The accolade was presented by Rob Sainsbury, CEO of Switchboard, to Helen Rice, CEO of Age UK WSBH, in a ceremony celebrating the charity’s efforts to support LGBTQ+ communities.
Helen Rice expressed her pride in receiving the award, saying: “I’m immensely proud that our work behind the scenes has been recognised publicly through Switchboard’s LGBTQ+ Inclusion Award. This recognition means a great deal to us, both as an employer and as a charity that people turn to for support.
“Everything we achieve is thanks to the welcoming, supportive and inclusive environment we foster at Age UK WSBH, which is delivered by our amazing staff and volunteers.
“This award shines a light on our commitment to supporting the LGBTQ+ community across all areas of our work - from recruitment, development and retention of staff and volunteers, to the services we provide for the diverse older communities we serve.”
Rob Sainsbury praised the organisation’s proactive approach, adding: “The Inclusion Award involves taking meaningful and deliberate steps to improve the experiences of LGBTQ+ people using services. They have worked on this over the past year.
“From reviewing forms and record-keeping systems, to creating visibly inclusive environments and embedding equality into policy and practice, they have demonstrated a deep commitment to equity, safety, and respect for all people no matter how they identify.”
The Inclusion Award involves taking meaningful and deliberate steps to improve the experiences of LGBTQ+ people using services.
Among the initiatives Age UK WSBH has introduced are gender-neutral toilets in all centres, Pride flags on staff ID cards, and the appointment of two LGBTQ+ champions who are receiving training from Switchboard. These champions are also active members of the organisation’s Staff Forum, helping to foster new ways of working with LGBTQ+ customers.
Staff confidence in supporting LGBTQ+ colleagues and service users is high, with a recent survey showing that 94% of respondents felt absolutely or mostly confident in doing so. The charity has also revised key policies to reflect inclusive language and practices, and has made efforts to clearly communicate its zero-tolerance stance on discrimination through posters and other materials.
Training has played a central role in the charity’s inclusivity efforts, with staff receiving LGBTQ+ awareness training delivered by Switchboard. The organisation has also updated its website to encourage feedback from LGBTQ+ customers and has shared information about other minority identity charities to help staff offer more personalised support.
Age UK WSBH continues to be a vital source of support for older people, offering expert guidance on issues such as poverty, ageism and loneliness. It provides a range of activities designed to promote fun, friendship and fitness, helping people remain healthy, independent and connected.
For more information or to access support, visit www.ageukwsbh.org.uk, call 0800 019 1310, or email info@ageukwsbh.org.uk.
