St Andrew's Healthcare is
ranked No.1 healthcare provider
in the Stonewall Workplace
Equality Index; so we asked
them just how they did it…
From supporting individuals facing death-threats and other
homophobic abuse, to leading outstanding anti-bullying
campaigns, Lindsey Ambrose has helped LGBT people be
free from discrimination. Lindsey is the charity’s Equality,
Diversity and Human Rights Lead
How well was the charity faring in the equality stakes when you started
and has it improved?
As the largest charitable provider of specialist mental healthcare, St Andrew’s
Healthcare had some established good LGBT-friendly practice such as a staff
network group and anti-bullying policies. The challenge is bringing them to life in
their culture. Our success in the Stonewall Healthcare Equality Index – rising to the
number 1 spot in 2015 reflects the improvement.
What helped you break down initial barriers and get people’s support?
Keeping things easy for everyone to get involved and exploring sensitive issues
safely. In my anti-bullying work we talk about celebrities, do pledge sign ups,
quizzes - we even held a carnival – and we make sure patient and staff know how
to get help if they need it. We also have a diversity and inclusion mascot! Patients
voted on, decorated and named Leo the lion, who has since done photo shoots with
patients and staff and goes on ‘safari’ with anti-stigma and anti-bullying displays.
He also gets VIP invites to Police, anti-bullying and LGBT events in the community
too.
What else could organisations do to help improve the environment for
LGBT people?
People suffer poor mental health when they don’t feel accepted. We need to stop
hate and discrimination from happening. Many people don’t intend to do the wrong
No.1 ranked healthcare provider in the Stone-
wall Workplace Equality Index
Equality, diversity and human rights are
front of mind for St Andrew’s Healthcare,
which achieved #1 ranking healthcare
provider in the Stonewall Workplace
Equality Index.
“We want patients and employees to be
able to be themselves and to feel valued
and respected for their diversity.
In the past year, we have worked hard
to bring a great number of LGBT-friendly
practices to life, and the number 1 Stone-
wall ranking speaks for itself.
Our end goal is to create a culture where
everyone can just ‘be’ and LGBT is a part
of our landscape.”
Fiona Mason, Chief Medical Officer
01604 616000
thing, but don’t know how to
be LGBT-friendly either. I find
patients and staff welcome
understanding on how to get
things right for everyone.
Equality allies approaches help:
everyone can show support for
LGBT equality and together we
can send powerful messages
that we don’t tolerate bullying
and hate.
So going forward, what
would you like to see
happen in the charity?
Ideally, I would like to be
able to create a workplace
where everyone can just ‘be’
and where being LGBT is
simply part of the expected,
accepted, understood and
simply fabulous diversity of
being human.
WINTER 2015
34
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