Staff Networks

All Women in EEAST

Network Co-Chair: Sharvari Alape and Beth Owen

Secretary: TBD

Events & Social Media Officer: Summer Sekhon

Exec Sponsor: Kate Vaughton

Non-Exec Sponsor: Julie Thallon

Next network meeting: 4th October 2023

The All Women in EEAST (AWE) Network relaunched in 2021 and is open to all Women and those who identify as women, working within EEAST.

The main function of AWE is to promote and champion inclusion of all staff within EEAST, provide support and empower women to achieve their full potential.

AWE aims to encourage, enable and facilitate change within EEAST. AWE believes that by tackling gender inequality and discrimination the Trust can be a better place to work and provide better patient care and experience to the communities we serve. 

Vacancies available for Co-Chairs and Network Secretary. Apply now. 

If you would like to join the network or find our more information please email AWE@eastamb.nhs.uk. You can also visit their page on East24, and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

BME Network

Chair: Tanoh Danso 

Deputy Chair: Mindy Thomas

Exec Sponsor: Tom Abell

Non-Exec Sponsor: Kiran Mahil

Next network meeting: 11th September 2023

EEAST BME Network was established in November 2017 by the Deputy Director of People and Culture. The group is a cross representative group of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic employees from across EEAST.

The aim of the group is to work with the Trust to utilise the skills and resources of its Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic employees in order to add value to the organisation and make EEAST a great place to work.

If you would like to join the network or find out more information please email BME.Network@eastamb.nhs.uk. You can also visit their page on East24.

Disability Support Network

Network Chair: Esther Shawe

Deputy Chair: Nicky Parry

Exec Sponsor: Emma De-Carteret

Next network meeting: 3rd October 2023

The aim of the Disability Support Network is to act as a supportive group, not only for our staff with disabilities whether visible or invisible, but for anyone who supports someone with a disability, be it a colleague, family member or friend.  They also welcome anyone who is interested in just finding out more about visible or invisible disabilities.

The team attend events such as recruitment events and Trust awards to promote the network and meet with new and perspective members. The network also produces content for awareness days, weeks and months such as Disability History Month, Mental Health Awareness Week and Autism Awareness Day.

Vacancies available for Co-chair, Events Officer and Information Officer/Network Secretary. Apply now 

If you would like to join the network or find out more information please email DisabilitySupportNetwork@eastamb.nhs.uk. You can also visit their page on East24 and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

LGBT+ Network

Network Co-Chairs: Graham Clark and Dominic Gaffney

Treasurer: Melanie Bartlett

Exec Sponsor: Tom Abell

Non-Exec Sponsor: Neville Hounsome

Next network meeting: 13th September 2023

The EEAST LGBT+ Staff support network was established in 2018 to promote and support the needs for LGBT+ staff, our community and our service users.

They have strong support from our executive and non-executive leadership teams and at present have held on-line meetings every quarter. As a key part of the Equality and Diversity team and recognising intersectionality they sit alongside five other staff networks to ensure no matter who you are or how you identify - in EEAST, we value you.

The network attends at least one Pride event in each of the six counties across the East of England. The network also co-hosts an annual International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia conference with Essex Fire and Rescue Service and Essex Police every May.

Vacancy available for Events Officer.

If you would like to join the network or find out more information please email LGBT@eastamb.nhs.uk. You can also visit their page on East24 and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

Men's Wellbeing Network

Network Co-Chairs: John Hammond and David Walker

Events and Media Officer: Sylvester Mathias

Exec Sponsor: Hein Scheffer

Non-Exec Sponsor: Catherine Glickman

Next network meeting: 17th October 2023

The Men’s Wellbeing Network (MWN) is designed to support improved experience and to promote equality within the workplace with a focus on gender issues impacting men’s wellbeing at work  - a safe space for men and those who identify as men to share experiences and talk about issues around their mental wellbeing.

The stereotype that men have to be strong macho types, affected by nothing, and the protectors of their families, has perpetuated a culture of reluctance to express any concerns for their own mental wellbeing, a refusal to ask for help and, a reticence to engage with health services. The attitude, perception, or belief that any ‘imperfection’ is a sign of weakness is a cause for concern. 

The network will be officially launched in June, with the first meeting taking place in July.

Vacancy available for Information Officer/Secretary, apply now.

If you would like to join the network or find out more information please email MWN@eastamb.nhs.uk. You can also visit their page on East24.

Multi-Faith Network

Network Chair: Simon King

Deputy Chair: Sheeba Shah

Administrator: Richard Bratt

Exec Sponsor: Kevin Smith

Non-Exec Sponsor: Mrunal Sisoda

Next network meeting: 24th October 2023

The Multi-Faith Network (MFN) is open to colleagues from around the organisation, of any faith. The group works together to support colleagues of all beliefs and aims to raise awareness of different faiths throughout the Trust. The main aim of MFN is to promote and champion inclusion of all staff within EEAST.

Vacancy available for Events/Media Officer, apply now.

If you would like to join the network or find our more information please email multifaith@eastamb.nhs.uk. You can also visit their page on East24 follow them on Facebook.