This September as part of our Spotlight on Racism feature, AACE are highlighting the importance of Black History Month this October and the resources available from the BME Forum.
The National Ambulance BME Forum is proud to launch its resource pack for Black History Month 2022. The theme this year is #ActionNotWords.
Mark Johns, National Ambulance BME Forum member, WRES Expert and Equality Diversity and Inclusion Manager, North East Ambulance Service, says:
“The pack contains a range of useful resources for the sector to engage with to help raise the profile or race equality, celebrate key people, improve knowledge and understanding and enjoy some tasty food with our recipes.
The pack has been sent to ambulance Equality Diversity and inclusion leads nationally and is available here. It includes:
- Quotes from AACE and the National Ambulance BME Forum chair
- AACE Racism pledges
- Details of the National Ambulance BME Forum Conference
- How to get involved in Show Racism the Red Card WEAR RED DAY
- An Ambulance sector lunch and learn on modern racism
- Interpreters’ guidance doc for staff
- TV, Film, book, and recipe suggestions
- Inspirational people posters and case studies
- Wellbeing provision
- Details of events, activities, and further resources
It is really important that Trusts don’t just talk about race equality in October each year. Trusts should promote messages from leaders, managers, staff, and patients throughout the year to show their support and commitment to making workplaces better for ethnic minority staff and a place where patients feel safe and able to access services.
As a white man who has worked in equality for over 20 years, I take my role as an ally seriously. I have been a member of the national ambulance BME Forum for the last five years, completing the NHS England Workforce Race Equality expert’s programme as a member. I have seen improvements over this time, people’s voices are being heard, staff networks are more visible and present in organisations and there are examples of positive action taking place across the country.
However, I still see some of the same challenges that I witnessed when I started my career, including poor behaviours in workplaces, hate and harassment, poorer health outcomes for many people from ethnic minority backgrounds and a lack of cultural understanding and competency.
So, this year for Black History Month, let us all take action. Please help us to raise the profile of race equality, amplify the voices of others and engage in #ActionNotWords.”
We’ll continue to post our Spotlight updates each month in our website’s News section and via Twitter at @AACE_Org.
You can find more information about our anti-racism promises, along with messages from all of our Ambulance Trust CEOs on our Stamping Out Racism page.
