All Women in EEAST (AWE) Network update

The All Women in EEAST (AWE) Network is open to all women, and those who identify as women, working at the trust. The network promotes and champions inclusion and equality for women and supports them to achieve their full potential.

The AWE Network has recently undergone change in leadership with newly appointed new co-chairs in place.

New co-chairs

Sharvari Alape, Internal Campaigns Officer

 

"I joined the Trust last year as part of the Communications & Engagement team. It will be a year in December, and it’s already been an exciting journey. You may catch me around Melbourn sometimes! The AWE network has made some incredible achievements, and it is essential that we continue the efforts to ensure positive working environment for all. I am delighted to co-chair this amazing network and look forward to keeping the important work going in supporting our women at EEAST."

 

The other co-chair is Beth Owen, Facilities Manager.

 

"I’ve been with the Trust for around five years, first working in the Finance team before moving to Estates to look after the Facilities Services.  I’m based in Norwich, but you’ll often see me around the region carrying out station audits.  I’m really excited to work with the AWE network and have lots of ideas in the pipeline for ways that we can improve the working environment and career opportunities for women at EEAST."

The new co-chairs were thrilled to hold their first quarterly meeting with the network on 4^th October to share their ideas and engage with network members to help prioritise future projects.

Over the past 12 months, the focus for the network has been primarily on Menopause awareness and improving facilities for new mums returning to work.  Both of these workstreams remain of importance to the new co-chairs and their network members.  The network will be continuing projects and initiatives relating to these priorities whilst bringing in new ideas to diversify the support for its members and the wider organisation.

Wellbeing facilities

The Trust have recognised that, the wellbeing facilities we have currently available to staff, require some improvements in order for them to meet the evolving needs of our teams.  There is also no central register of where these rooms are, which makes signposting staff to use these rooms really difficult.

So we need your help and knowledge of your local areas to help us build this register of wellbeing spaces.  Please could you complete the form below and return to wellbeing@eastamb.nhs.uk with details of any wellbeing rooms in your station/s. 

We hope that this will have a really positive impact on our workforce, by improving our wellbeing facilities and providing better support for staff post-maternity leave.  It’s worth noting that these wellbeing rooms will not be exclusively for any one group of staff, and we will be linking up with the other staff support networks to make sure the rooms meet the needs of as many staff as possible.

Buddy support system

The network is looking into developing a buddying system to provide more holistic and informal support for the members.

Initially, the chairs discussed introducing a mentoring scheme within AWE. It was discussed that there are existing mentorship schemes within EEAST but as these tend to focus on leadership, there is a gap for supporting staff outside leadership development and within other career pathways. Through an engaging conversation amongst the network, the scheme was rebranded to Buddy Support System. The focus will be around providing holistic support and advice for the buddies, in what we hope will be a mutually beneficial connection.

To proceed with this project, we would like to understand your interest and your needs around this scheme. Please help us by filling this form - https://forms.office.com/e/VPRDki0Hsp. Based on the interest and recommendations, we will develop a framework for the system.

 

Our next meeting will take place in December. We will share more details later.

How to join us

If you’re interested in joining the All Women in EEAST Network, we would love to have you!  Please contact awe@eastamb.nhs.uk for further information or request to join our All Women in EEAST network Teams group. 

 Published 11th October 2023