Following national Pride Month and as we approach Chesterfield Pride later this month, we’re looking forward to showing our support for LGBT+ inclusion here at Ashgate over the coming weeks, writes Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead, Liz Allam. 

We feel it is important that everyone associated with us knows that Ashgate Hospice is an open and inclusive organisation where they will be warmly welcomed. 

Therefore, we’ve been working hard to find different ways that we can organise and take part in our own Pride celebrations – to show support and allyship for our patients, staff, volunteers and supporters who are part of the LGBT+ community. 

Firstly, I’ll like to let you know about exciting plans to paint the zebra crossing outside the hospice in Old Brampton in the Pride rainbow colours. The crossing is a symbol of our inclusivity and will remind all those who visit of our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. 

It will send an important message – that we know is valued by members of the LGBT+ community – that we are committed to being an inclusive and accessible organisation where everyone is welcome. 

We will also attend Chesterfield Pride on July 24 and are working with Derbyshire LGBT+ to deliver inclusion and awareness sessions to our workforce, as well as decorating our site and shops in rainbow colours.  

We know from research that people from the LGBT+ community are under-served by hospices and may well be under-represented in our staff and volunteers. They may also face additional challenges to accessing high-quality end-of-life care, for example: 

• Older LGBT+ people may have experienced hostile treatment (particularly during the period when being gay was illegal) and be reluctant to seek help. 
• LGBT+ partners can be excluded from decisions about patient’s care through unintentional assumptions about someone’s sexual orientation; e.g. assuming a woman’s partner will be a man. 
• Some LGBT+ people may worry about discrimination, or how someone will react to their sexual identity. They might feel they need to hide important parts of their life. 

We want to ensure Ashgate is open to everyone who needs us, and we are working to understand how we can improve this. 

Ashgate already has a hugely committed and compassionate workforce and by welcoming staff and volunteers with diverse backgrounds we can enhance and strengthen the organisation further. 

Read more about our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.