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EIU August Newsletter 2022

Contents of this page

News and updates
Awareness and religious dates
Memberships
Support and services
In case you missed it

News and updates

EIU Updates

We're delighted to announce that Natasha Ekar-Fowler and Eilidh Fulton will soon be joining the EIU. Natasha joins the team on Monday 1st August and will be working as an E&I Project Officer for three months. Eilidh joins the team on Monday 15th August and will be working alongside Laura and Catherine as an E&I Officer and will initially lead our Race work.

Leeds Pride

Leeds Pride 2022 marks the 17th year of celebrating Pride in Leeds. Over the last 2 years the event has been cancelled due to the pandemic. This year, Yorkshire’s biggest celebration of LGBT+ life is back in Leeds on Sunday 7th August. The parade will be setting off from Millennium Square at 2pm and the event welcomes all to join in the celebration.

Chronic Pain and Fatigue Guidance

A new resource has been developed in collaboration with Lucy Prodgers, Chair of the Chronic Pain and Fatigue Staff Network. The chronic pain and fatigue guidance helps to raise awareness of the symptoms of these types of conditions and provides advice for managers about how best to support employees with chronic pain and fatigue. There is also information included for those experiencing chronic pain and fatigue on how to manage their condition.

New Guidance for Supporting Disabled Employees

New guidance is now available to support disabled employees including:

    • Resources for Supporting Disabled Employees which provides information about where to access support with reasonable adjustments and disability awareness training at the University and from external organisations.
    • Access to Work guidance for employees and managers explaining the Government scheme and how to apply.
    • Assistive Technology guidance providing examples of and links to various types of software and apps including, speech to text, text to speech, screen readers, mind mapping and notetaking.

Awareness and religious dates 

7 August   Leeds Pride
8 August   
Ashura – Islam*
11 August   
Raksha Bandhan – Hinduism
15 August   Assumption – Christianity
19 August   
Krishna Janmashtami – Hinduism
29 – 30 August   University Closed 

*Please note the exact dates of the major Islamic festivals will depend on the moon sightings based on the lunar calendar. Please see the Ramadan Guidance for more information.

Memberships

Business in the Community 

Business in the Community (BITC) focuses on improving responsible practice to create beneficial impacts in the workplace and community.

You can access skills building workshops, networking events, webinars, and toolkits to develop your skills and knowledge on the BITC website. BITC focuses on a number of areas including:

      • Diversity and Inclusion
      • Employment and Skills
      • Health and Wellbeing
      • Inclusive Recruitment
      • Stakeholder Engagement

If you are interested in building and developing new skills and strengthening your knowledge of best business practices, use the self-register form to get access to all members resources. You can find out more, including how to set up your login, on the EIU BITC webpage.

Business Disability Forum

The Business Disability Forum (BDF) is a useful resource for HR Managers, Line Managers and all staff interested in disability inclusion at the University of Leeds. Membership includes access to the BDF resource library includes toolkits with in-depth information, guidance, research, blogs and podcasts on a range of topics such as mental health, neurodiversity, inclusive communications and Covid-19. 

Your membership also allows you to contact the BDF’s confidential Advice Service, where a team of expert advisors can provide guidance and practical problem-solving help on a range of issues. 

You can access your BDF membership by registering on the BDF membership signup webpage using your University of Leeds email address.

Support and services

Meno-Pause for Thought Café

Meno-Pause for Thought Cafés are informal meet-ups hosted monthly on Teams, which create time and a safe, respectful, and confidential space to discuss the menopause. The cafés are open to everyone irrespective of age or gender and no one is advised to follow any particular course of action in them. 

Next session: Tuesday 16th August 15:30 - 16:30. To book your place visit the Meno-Pause for Thought Café Eventbrite webpage.

Staff Networks

Staff peer support networks are organised by staff for staff, providing a safe space for colleagues to reach out to others within the University who identify with a protected group or who have specific interests. They provide a safe, welcoming and practical platform, where exchanging information, generating and sharing views and new ideas can be expressed in an informal environment. The networks also enable peer support, networking opportunities and social activities. Current staff networks are as follows:

Bipolar Disorders Staff Network

Chronic Pain and Fatigue Network

Disability, Accessibility and Mental Health Staff Network (DAMH)

Leeds11 Network

LGBT+ Staff Network

Muslim Staff Network

Women at Leeds Network 

In case you missed it

Promotion Achievement

Congratulations to Lisa Dionne-Morris, Lisa is now a Professor of Public & Industry Understanding of Capability Driven Design. Lisa is a participant in the 100 Black Women Professors Now programme cohort one.

AccessAble

What is AccessAble?

AccessAble is a practical resource to help students, visitors and staff plan their journey to and around the University. The tool is easy to search and filter for detailed guides about routes to / from buildings including parking and walking distances and the accessibility features within facilities such as hearing loops and accessible toilets. The information has been checked in person, on site, by trained surveyors. Guides include facts, figures and photographs about University buildings and services such as teaching rooms, sports venues, conference spaces and meeting rooms. Use the AccessAble website or download the free AccessAble mobile app.

We hope you find this newsletter useful. We welcome your feedback. Please contact us with any comments or suggestions for future newsletter items.