‘A platform that is needed by so many’: Lifeways takes part in first social care London Pride march
Teams from Lifeways made history by this year taking part in our first-ever Pride in London event.
It was also the first time that social care organisations from throughout the UK have been formally involved in the annual parade, billed as the UK’s largest and most diverse Pride event.
The event provides a vital platform for all members of London's LGBTQ+ communities to raise awareness of LGBTQ+ issues and advocate for the freedoms that will enable everyone to live their lives on equal footing.
The Lifeways team waved rainbow flags and banners as they marched from Hyde Park Corner to Trafalgar Square - the full length of the London Pride parade, on Saturday, 29 June.
While social care colleagues have informally taken part in Pride parades in previous years, this year marked the first time adult social care workers took part as an organised unit.
‘Loud cheers’
For Karen Roberts, Lifeways’ Group Head of Health & Clinical Governance, who is also a Learning Disabilities and Queen’s Nurse, the significance of social care nurses formally joining the parade ‘shows the shift in how social care is perceived.’
“Adult social care is such a diverse group of people,” Karen said. “We were marching for our workforce, but also the people that we support to acknowledge that everybody is an individual.
“There was a huge buzz on the day - and that feeling we were part of the start of something special in raising the profile of social care. There were certainly loud cheers from the crowd when we went by!”
Lifeways had been asked to take part due to our involvement with the Outstanding Society, which shares and celebrates best practices in social care.
Karen co-chairs the newly-formed North East and Yorkshire Social Care Nursing Advisory Council, which the Outstanding Society supports on behalf of the Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care, Deborah Sturdy.
At Lifeways, 2024 also marks the launch of its new Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council – or the Diversity Council for short.
The council is made up of six members (and counting), and aims to empower and represent Lifeways’ increasingly diverse workforce of 11,000 people. The council is one of many initiatives and actions which aim to make Lifeways the Employer of Choice in the social care sector by 2026.
‘A brilliant opportunity’
A member of the Diversity Council, Heather Wright, who is also Lifeways’ Group Head of Health & Safety, also marched in the parade.
“Pride is a platform that is needed by so many, one that strives to promote inclusivity and break down barriers,” she said.
“The support from members of the public and others participating in the parade was felt by all – not only in solidarity but the support for social care as a whole.
“On behalf of Lifeways’ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council members, we want to thank the Outstanding Society for the opportunity to take part.”
About Lifeways:
Lifeways is the UK’s largest team of support professionals providing support for adults in the community.
We support adults with diverse and complex needs, including learning disabilities, autism, physical disabilities, acquired brain injuries, and mental health conditions.
Lifeways delivers support across three divisions: supported living, residential and mental health services.
As the supported living sector’s largest team of professionals, Lifeways’ extensive experience and national reach mean we deliver extraordinary support to adults, enabling them to live fulfilling and independent lives in the community.
Our 11,000 colleagues currently support around 4,000 individuals who live in our 1,500 supported living and residential services across England, Scotland, and Wales.
Find out more about how we change people's lives at: www.lifeways.co.uk
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