Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has been awarded the Race Equality Matters (REM) Silver Trailblazer Status, which recognises the Trust’s ongoing commitment to unity against racism.
REM is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to transforming talk into action, formed in response to the 2020 Black Lives Matter movement.
The Trailblazer status spotlights forward-thinking organisations that are implementing impactful solutions to drive race equality. Rather than starting at the Bronze level, Berkshire Healthcare has been awarded Silver status, which is currently the highest available award.
“We are acutely aware of the unacceptable disparities in experience for our ethnically diverse colleagues and the inequalities our ethnically diverse community faces in health services,” said the Trust’s deputy chief executive Alex Gild. “Our unwavering commitment to anti-racism has been recognised with the Trailblazer Race Equality Matters (REM) Silver Trailblazer Status, a clear indication that our initiatives are not only acknowledged but are effecting tangible change.
“Although this is a positive endorsement, we know there is more to do. We hope our colleagues and patients will start to see the difference as we progress with our work to ensure that Berkshire Healthcare is a great place to get care and a great place to give care.”
The application process involved evidencing initiatives, strategies and engagement with senior leaders and our ethnically diverse colleagues. This award highlights the Trust’s collaboration with its Race Equality Network and its work on educational development, improved reporting, creation of the anti-racism taskforce and its leadership-led workstreams.
This recognition was awarded by an independent panel of experts, all of whom identify as ethnically diverse. One judging panellist praised Berkshire Healthcare’s application for demonstrating ‘a proactive and multifaceted approach to tackling race inequality’ and this endorsement shows that the Trust’s efforts are making a meaningful impact throughout the organisation.
REM emphasises the urgent need to address race inequality now. They collaborate with individuals who have lived experiences of race inequality to develop practical tools and solutions. Through the extensive REM network, these co-created solutions are reaching countless organisations and millions of employees.
