NELFT has been nominated, in an impressive five categories, for the annual Employers Network for Equality & Inclusion (ENEI) Awards 2020. The nominations which were announced last week, commended NELFT in the following categories: 

1. Innovative Ways of Working
2. Disability Confident
3. Neurodiversity
4. Team of the Year 
5. Inclusive Culture

ENEI is an employer network promoting equality and inclusion in the workplace. The awards ceremony rewards organisations for harnessing a truly diverse workforce, and recognises the significant efforts of organisations that excel in their commitment to equality and inclusion.

Mariya Dimitrov, from the NELFT Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team said: “Our team have done a lot of work on the equality and inclusion agenda and we believe the Trust has come a long way. We have a number of staff networks that provide advice and support to staff as well as report back to the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Board. 

“We also have a successful Ethnic Minority Network with a membership of over 1,400 colleagues; due to launch its 3rd strategy this year and as well that, we’ve just launched our first Disability Staff Network strategy. Having been shortlisted for five awards in itself is a great recognition of our hard work and NELFT’s commitment to be an inclusive employer. ”

In April, the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) team rolled out the ‘Health Passport’, which is a confidential document designed for staff with long-term health conditions, mental health needs, neurodiversity or other learning difficulties, to help them assess the support they may need in the workplace. 

The EDI team have also created a number of cultural guidance booklets and organised a number of training courses, available to all colleagues across NELFT, which are aimed to develop approaches to understanding people’s identities. 

Due to COVID-19, the awards ceremony will not be held as usual, however Award Winners and Highly Commended organisations will announced on the 8th July 2020.