These sessions are open to all staff working in the NHS healthcare setting in the South East region and includes Primary Care. These sessions will:

  • Increase your confidence in identifying non-inclusive practice. 
  • Help foster good relations between NHS staff. 
  • Help you create inclusive, compassionate workplace cultures and 
  • Improve retention.

LGBT+: Definitions, minorities, minorities within minorities 

We will explore the different terms we use and less visible groups in LGBT+ communities. We will discuss research evidence, experiences of LGBT+ people in the NHS and how we can create more inclusive experiences for them. There will also be a quiz to test your learning! 

Inclusive communication (Disability and Language)
An introduction to the medical and social models of disability. We will reflect on the words we use to talk about disability. We’ll explore how we can use more empowering language when talking about disability and disabled people. By watching engaging videos created by disabled people, we’ll rethink our own biases and challenge stereotypes.

Digital accessibility 
How to create accessible communications for disabled or neurodivergent people. How to write accessible emails, documents and messages when using Outlook, PowerPoint, Microsoft Word and Microsoft Teams. These tools can also support the health and wellbeing of all colleagues who spend long hours in front of a computer. 

Microaggressions and allyship
What do we mean by microaggressions? How do they show up in the workplace? Allyship, privilege and what allyship means to different people. This session includes guest speakers who work in the NHS who will share their lived experiences of microaggressions. How can we move from being a bystander to an ally? How do we increase our confidence in speaking up when we witness microaggressions? This session covers race, religion, sex and other marginalised communities too.

Feedback from Previous Participants

  • “Powerful, relatable, personal stories that illustrated microaggressions are even more widespread than I had thought.”
  • “I liked the phrase in one video in that it is OK to not understand, but take time to find out.”
  • “I learnt a lot about how diverse the LGBTQ+ community is. I found this really reassuring in terms of feeling equipped to think and talk about this topic.”

There is a reasonably long list of dates on offer: 

  • 18 June 2025, 1:30pm-3pm, LGBT+ Inclusion
  • 14 July 2025, 1pm-2:30pm, Digital Accessibility Part 1
  • 15 July 2025, 1pm-2:30pm, Inclusive Communication: Disability and Language
  • 17 July 2025, 11am-1pm, Microaggressions and Allyship
  • 21 July 2025, 1pm-2:30pm, LGBT+ Inclusion
  • 22 July 2025, 11am-12:30pm, Digital Accessibility Part 2
  • 8 September 2025, 10:30am-midday, Inclusive Communication: Disability and Language
  • 10 September 2025, 1pm-2:30pm, LGBT+ Inclusion
  • 11 September 2025, 10:30am-12:30pm, Microaggressions and Allyship
  • 16 September 2025, 1pm-2:30pm, Digital Accessibility Part 1
  • 23 September 2025, 11am-12:30pm, Digital Accessibility Part 2
  • 4 November 2025, 1pm-3pm, Microaggressions and Allyship
  • 6 November 2025, 11am-12:30pm, Digital Accessibility Part 1
  • 6 November 2025, 1pm-2:30pm, LGBT+ Inclusion
  • 11 November 2025, 11:30am-1pm, Inclusive Communication: Disability and Language
  • 12 November 2025, 1pm-2:30pm, Digital Accessibility Part 2

Train the Trainer Programme: Expressions of interest

In addition to the regular training sessions highlighted above, a “Train the Trainer” programme is being piloted. This is open to staff who work in the South East healthcare system. You must be responsible for running EDI, Leadership or Organisational Development (OD) initiatives. For example, you could be an EDI Lead, an OD Facilitator or Training Lead. You will be offered extra support, helping you build  confidence in running these training sessions yourself. If you join the Train the Trainer programme, we’ll expect you to organise training sessions for your organisation/system. If you’d like to join the Train the Trainer programme, please express an interest below. We will be in touch in the coming weeks/months to provide more information. At this stage, we’re only gauging interest. Expressing an interest does not mean a formal commitment.

To book on a training event, or express an interest in Train the Trainer, follow the link: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Skill Development Sessions (NHS England South East Region)