Are you interested in being part of a Staff Disability Network?

One in five of us is disabled but it’s not always obvious.

Whether or not our disability can be seen, whether it’s a physical disability, mental ill health or because we are neuro diverse, we may have ideas on how the workplace could be improved so that everyone feels fully included and able to fulfil their potential.

We are looking for people with lived experience of disability, mental ill health and neurodiversity to help us establish a new staff network to give us a voice and help make the Council a more inclusive place to work.

There are already two staff networks supported by the Council. 

Our network for lesbian, gay, bi, trans and non-binary staff and allies was established several years ago and relaunched as GLAM in 2019.

More recently in 2020, our network for Black, Asian and minority ethnic staff and allies was established and is known as Diverse.

Both these networks have given staff a voice with the Senior Leadership Team, the opportunity to comment on policy and practice, raise awareness, support colleagues and be supported by allies.  We want the same voice for disabled colleagues.

We want staff who consider themselves to have a disability to come forward and share their experience, offer insights into how the workplace could be improved for them, and to create a safe space for colleagues in a similar position to get support when they need it.

Colin Davies says: “My work involves helping people with disabilities find employment opportunities and thinking about how we can support them in the workplace. 

"This led me to thinking about the challenges there might be in the workplace for colleagues with disabilities who already work here. 

"A network would bring people together to discuss this and help the Council understand what it can do to be more inclusive of people with disabilities.”

If you are interested in being part of or supporting a disability network, please contact Colin Davies: codavies@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk. 

You are also invited to an informal meeting at 1 pm on Thursday 8 December in Committee Room 2 at the Civic Offices. 

You will be able to meet Colin Davies and other people who have an interest in forming a disability network. 

If you have any access needs, please let Colin know before the meeting. 

We look forward to seeing you there.