Need to know
For #TeamEEAST Last updated: 18 May 2024 at 09:27
Black History Month is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate the invaluable contributions of black people to society and to the NHS. With the theme of ‘Saluting our Sisters’, this year Black History Month is dedicated to honouring the achievements of black women who are often forgotten; highlighting the crucial role that black women have played in shaping history, inspiring change, and building communities.
It is important that we honour and remember the history to inspire and empower future generations.
Joan Saddler OBE, director of partnerships and equality, NHS Confederation said; “As we Salute our Sisters’, we celebrate those pioneers from across Britain and the ‘British Empire’ of old, who made the NHS possible. We especially celebrate those who have overcome institutional racism to become its leaders today.
We also acknowledge the huge contribution made by our invisible sisters, undertaking many of the unglamorous and unappreciated jobs in our own workplaces. Let’s take a few minutes to thank them all as a key driving force powering the NHS.”
Events taking place across the month
13 October, 10am - 3:30pm
Sponsored by EEAST together with Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue Service and Bedfordshire Police, Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue Service will again be celebrating the culture and histories of our Black communities with a one-day event. This year the event will be based around the UK Black History Month theme: Celebrating our Sisters / Saluting our Sisters / Matriarchs of Movements, highlighting the crucial role that black women have played in shaping history, inspiring change, and building communities.
Find out more: Tri-service event celebrating Black History Month (eastamb.nhs.uk)
Hosted by Instinctive Inclusion and taking place 4–19 October 2023.
Five events to showcase and celebrate our Black Female Leaders in the NHS whether they are clinicians or corporate leaders. Join us as we hang out with some of our NHS sisters to hear their inspirational leadership journeys. How they have navigated the hidden cultures in their sectors to achieve successful careers.
Find out more; Saluting our Sisters -Black Women in the NHS - A series of BHM events Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite
20 October, 10:30am – 5pm
Every October, we mark Black History Month to celebrate and honour the all too often forgotten and undervalued contribution of Black Britons across the UK and throughout history. The day will be vibrant and challenging, consisting of speakers, music, and spoken word on various topics, acknowledging the past, present, and future. We will reflect on the 75th anniversary of Windrush, the 75th anniversary of the NHS, the 30th anniversary of the murder of Stephen Lawrence and the 30th anniversary of UNISON, representing Black self-organisation.
Find out more: Black History Month 2023 | Events | UNISON National
20 October, 8:30am – 5pm
Join us for the Nottingham University Hospitals BAME Network Black History Conference, where we will explore various insightful topics and celebrate Black history in health care. This event is sponsored by the RCN, Unison and Nottingham University Hospitals. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to gain knowledge, hear inspiring stories and engage in meaningful conversations about the contributions of the Black community in health care.
Find out more: NUH BAME Network Black History Month conference | Event | Royal College of Nursing (rcn.org.uk)
23 October, 12pm – 1pm
Join us for this Black History Month Living library workshop with Steph Edusei, CEO of St Oswald's. Steph Edusei is Chief Executive Officer at St Oswalds and co-chair at the Angelou centre amongst other roles she holds. Steph will be sharing her expertise in health inequalities affecting ethnic minority and disabled people in the region. Learn more about the experiences people in our region and how you can help and support people in the workplace and in the community.
Find out more: NEAS Living Library with Steph Edusei Tickets, Mon 23 Oct 2023 at 12:00 | Eventbrite
Black History Month Teams background
If you would like to download the Black History Month Teams background, click here to download.
Our EEAST BME network
Our EEAST BME network works with the Trust to utilise the skills and resources of its Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic colleagues and volunteers to add value to the organisation and make EEAST a great place to work.
If you are interested in joining our EEAST BME network or have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact at BME.Network@eastamb.nhs.uk
It is not too late to get involved, if you have a story that you would like to share please email InternalCommunications@eastamb.nhs.uk.
Published 2nd October 2023
