Disability network hosted by EEAST wins Diversity award

The National Ambulance Disability Network, which is hosted at EEAST, has picked up an award for the Diversity Network of the Year.

The network received the award at a virtual awards ceremony on Thursday 24^th February organised by Work Skills UK, an independent charity and partnership between employers, education and governments.

Dawn Poulson Whelan, Business and Partnerships Lead, set up the network in October 2020 with Tom Heywood from the Yorkshire Ambulance Service after seeing first hand that there was much more that could be done to support staff in the ambulance sector and the wider NHS.

Dawn, who is the chair of the network, has worked for the ambulance service for 18 years and during that time acquired a disability which changed the trajectory of her career.

She set up the network as she wanted to use her experiences in a positive way to improve the support available to staff with disabilities.

Dawn said: “I am absolutely delighted that the network has received this award and it is recognition of the hard work of everyone involved.

“We have created a forum and a national platform for every ambulance trust in the UK to represent the voice of disabled staff and we are now in a position to influence policy not only in the ambulance sector but right across the NHS.

“It’s really empowering for people to be able to speak up and speak out on the challenges they face and be confident in seeking support that they require.

The National Ambulance Disability Network reports into the National Ambulance Diversity and Inclusion Forum, supported by the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE).

The network comprises of two representatives from each NHS Ambulance Trust.

Tuesday 01 March 2022