Hormoz writes about being a Board member for 42nd Street, who is putting Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at the heart of their organisation.
Some charities are impressive, not just because of the people they are there to support, or because of their values and actions, but by standing out through innovation and a real desire to adapt and change.
One such organisation is 42nd Street which I have admired for several years due to the important work they have carried out for 13–25-year-olds for their mental health wellbeing. I was therefore delighted to be approached to join their board of trustees 2.5 years ago.
As well as the person-centred 1 to 1 support, I was drawn to the work that the charity does with specific groups.
This currently includes:
- a women’s group
- queer culture and well being
- care leavers
- expression through movement
- social action projects
- young people with longstanding difficulties with feelings and relationships
amongst other programmes, which include creative activities in the Horsfall.
The board of trustees is comprised of highly experienced individuals, whose contributions reflect the varied backgrounds they come from.
During Covid and lockdown, our board agreed to meet monthly to ensure support during the challenges of the period. Following a thorough consultation with all stakeholders including young people, 42nd Street also developed an extremely detailed Business Plan which was presented to the board.
It was not just the detailed and considered approach to all aspects of the business which were impressive, but also to see that ‘equity, diversity, and inclusion are at the heart of everything 42nd Street does.’ This is a challenging and ambitious statement to make for any organisation.
To show how seriously it is being taken, a sub-committee has been formed to consider and tackle ED&I best practices within 42nd Street.
The first of these meetings took place with the Senior Management Team, our dynamic CEO, Simone Spray, plus our Chair, Liz Allen.
It was felt that outside insight would be invaluable. An invitation was put out to known individuals. There was a keen reaction from various people in Greater Manchester, who are specialists in all things ED&I. A group agreed to attend a first meeting of exploration, scoping, and setting initial goals.
These included our own Jane Cordell and our advisor Jackie Driver, with her many hats on, and Charles Kwaku-Odoi from the Caribbean & African Health Network (CAHN). Others who showed interest and couldn’t attend but have promised to stay involved in the future.
The meeting highlighted the significance of such an advisory steering group and a reminder of what foundations need to be in place to enable the success of embedding ED&I in the organisation.
This all particularly resonates with us, as we at Result CIC have championed ED&I since our inception. Also as a trustee, it is highly satisfactory and fulfilling to be part of an organisation that takes its shared values and actions seriously.
I shall report further on progress in the future.
For out more on the 42nd Street website.