From good intentions to accountable action.

Building a culturally capable workforce

South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust

The challenge

Through its Ethnicity and Mental Health Improvement Project (EMHIP), the Trust wanted to strengthen its workforce's ability to work with and care for the diverse communities it serves.

What we did

A fully co-produced cultural capability programme, shaped by extensive engagement with lived experience contributors and staff. It combines eLearning with experiential workshops led by professional actors and co-facilitators. Alongside this, Inclusivitii supports the programme's lived experience panel to co-design priorities, from cultural safety training to how impact is evidenced.

Outcome

Every participant said the workshops were critical to changing their practice. Staff describe asking more culturally curious questions, bringing spiritual beliefs, cultural values and traditions into handovers and MDT meetings, onboarding new colleagues with an emphasis on cultural humility, and reaching out to community organisations working with racialised groups to widen access to a talking therapies internship.

“The training has made me feel more confident at asking these questions and advocating for people, when they may not feel heard.” Mental health practitioner

“During handovers and MDT meetings, I will ensure that discussions include consideration of individuals' spiritual beliefs, cultural values, and traditions.” Mental health practitioner

Opening doors through sponsorship

NHS England Nursing and Midwifery Equity Programme

The challenge

Advancing equity in nursing and midwifery careers by connecting sponsorees with senior sponsors who could champion their progression and open doors to opportunity.

What we did

A sponsorship programme for sponsors and sponsorees combining character strengths and cultural intelligence assessments, race, identity, power and privilege, anti-racism and equity in leadership, career and sponsorship planning, and networking.

Outcome

Sponsorees describe greater confidence in leadership and job applications, and are actively championing colleagues into new opportunities. Sponsors report deeper understanding and more confident conversations about race and culture, with one holding more than 50 conversations with colleagues about the programme.

“It's made me a more confident leader.” Sponsoree