Despite having equality at its heart, the charity sector has a diversity problem. Long criticised for being staffed and led by white, male, straight and able-bodied people, the pace of change has been frustratingly slow as recent reports continue to highlight.
But diversity and inclusion are rightfully moving up the charity, national and global board agendas. There is an urgent moral case for progress, but there is also a strong business argument too – especially for PR and comms. If we want to communicate effectively with our audiences, if we want to have greater impact and relevance to all areas of society, then we must be diverse ourselves.
We heard from a range of people working on different initiatives who offered their perspectives and plenty of practical tips for delegates to take back to the office.
Resources
Live recordings
If you’re a CharityComms member, you can watch the presentations from the day on our Vimeo channel. You’ll find the links to each recording below with the presentations – drop events@charitycomms.org.uk an email to get the password to access them.
Presentations
Driving inclusion and diversity in the sector – walking the talk by Pema Seely, chair of diversity network, PRCA
Watch the video recording of Pema’s presentation (exclusive to CharityComms members, email events@charitycomms.org.uk for the password)
Go with your gut? Or not… understanding unconscious bias at work by Trish Driver, founder and CEO, A New Normal
Watch the video recording of Trish’s presentation (exclusive to CharityComms members, email events@charitycomms.org.uk for the password)
Using internships to increase diversity and how it feels to take part by Victoria Harrison-Cook, head of media, Transport for London and Natalie Igweze, head of UK marketing, Capco
Watch the video recording of Victoria’s and Natalie’s presentation (exclusive to CharityComms members, email events@charitycomms.org.uk for the password)
Accessible design: how diverse teams lead to more inclusive comms by Neil Ayres, global head of online and design, Sightsavers
Watch the video recording of Neil’s presentation (exclusive to CharityComms members, email events@charitycomms.org.uk for the password)
Read Neil’s article on ‘Embracing employee diversity to reap rewards’.
Visit Sightsavers’ website to read more about their work around Perspectives (the Make your work accessible for all section is particularly useful)
[slideshare id=127756696&doc=napowerpointpresentationedited-190111105228]
Tips for making inclusion part of your comms strategy by Becky Slack, founder and managing director of Slack Communications and editorial director of LEAD: Leadership for Equality and Diversity
Watch the video recording of Becky’s presentation (exclusive to CharityComms members, email events@charitycomms.org.uk for the password)
Who isn’t in the room? by Asad Dhunna, founder, The Unmistakables
Watch the video recording of Asad’s presentation (exclusive to CharityComms members, email events@charitycomms.org.uk for the password)