Since joining Ashgate Hospice as a trustee, I have had the privilege of being part of an organisation that truly values inclusivity and diversity. And as a member of the LGBTQ+ community myself, I’ve had the opportunity to experience first-hand the hospice’s commitment to being a welcoming and safe space for all. From when I formally joined the board of trustees in December, I’ve been impressed by the organisation’s dedication to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), and from the moment I started it was clear that inclusivity was a core part of the business, not just lip service.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of my dad’s death at the hospice. The care provided to my dad, and to me and my family, demonstrated such kindness and compassion. The place has since held a special place in my heart and before becoming a trustee, I had taken part in regular fundraising to show my support. I am unable to attend the wonderful Sparkle Night Walk this year, which falls on the same day as the anniversary of my dad’s death, but my husband is walking in my place to honour my dad and to help raise money to ensure others can experience the same care that we did.

I want to emphasise the importance of celebrating diversity and inclusivity. By raising awareness, we’re sending a message that we recognise and value the experiences of all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

I am a Registered Nurse and work as the Assistant Head of Adult Nursing at a local university and have a keen interest in discussions relating to equality of access to healthcare services. Research shows that members of the LGBTQ+ community have a poorer experience of healthcare than the general population. This is often due to factors such as a lack of healthcare professional knowledge and education, a lack of inclusive support groups, prevalence of discrimination within healthcare services, and a lack of confidence in discussions around people sharing information about their sexual orientation and gender identity.

One of the things that stood out to me at the hospice was the training sessions and events offered by our EDI Lead, Liz Allam. The fact that the hospice is willing to invest time and resources in educating staff and volunteers on such important issues is a testament to its commitment to creating a welcoming environment.

The hospice has recently been awarded Rainbow Accreditation by Derbyshire LGBT+, which is a significant step forward in demonstrating our commitment to improving inclusivity in the provision of care. In addition to this, regular training and access to relevant resources for staff and volunteers is important. In my experience as a nurse, hearing stories from patients and their families about their experiences, both positive and negative, can help everyone to understand their role in the organisation and how we can work together to make it better for all.

Personally, as a trustee I’m committed to ensuring that Ashgate Hospice continues to be a welcoming and inclusive space l. I encourage anyone who has any suggestions on how we can improve our services for the LGBTQ+ community to reach out. We value your feedback and are committed to creating a safe and inclusive space for everyone.

Anyone who would like to make suggestions on how Ashgate Hospice’s can improve its services for LGBTQ+ people can contact [email protected].