New Staff LGBT Network

We recently ran a short survey to gauge interest in setting up a staff network group aimed towards Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans staff, and those interested in promoting LGBT equality at the University of Greenwich.

We were delighted that 89% of respondents said they would like to see an LGBT Staff Network at Greenwich and our first meeting has now taken place!

A launch event is now being planned, and the group is discussing its Terms of Reference.

If you are interested in getting involved in the Network, please contact equality@gre.ac.uk.

Stonewall Youth Talent Programme – It’s Free!

Applications are now open for the 2013 Stonewall Talent Programme taking place on 5 & 6 September in London.

If you are aged 18 to 25, identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual and are interested in finding out how you can be a role model and create a positive influence in your future career in any sector, the Stonewall Talent Programme is for you.

You could be a student, volunteer, employed or involved in other activities, if you think the programme could benefit you, Stonewall would love to hear from you. You are not expected to have pinned down a career choice. Wherever you end up working, the Talent Programme can help you make an impact.

“The course was the best thing to happen to me in my professional life so far. It was a privilege to experience it now rather than in twenty years’ time when I’ve already done a job.” 2011 Talent Programme participant

How to Apply

The Talent Programme is FREE, including accommodation and meals.

To apply:

  1. Complete the Application Form
  2. Complete the Applicant Analysis Form (your Application Form will not be considered if this is not submitted.  It is not considered within the short listing process).
  3. Send a one page version of your current CV to talent@stonewall.org.uk – if you submit a document longer than one page, it won’t be considered

Being who you are

The Guardian recently published an article, written by the Corporate Development Executive at IBM about the importance of being open about your sexuality at work. Vince Cipollone says:

“If your organisation doesn’t create an environment where everyone feels welcome, it won’t be successful in the long term. I wholeheartedly believe that the more someone is allowed to be themselves, the better they are able to do their job.”

Read more here.

Autistic Teenager Tipped for Nobel Prize

A teenager who was diagnosed with autism and told he would never be able to read has been tipped as a future Nobel prize winner.

Jacob Barnett, who was diagnosed with moderate to severe autism at two years old, is now studying for a Master’s degree in quantum physics.

Experts say the student from Indiana has an IQ higher than Albert Einstein’s.

His mother Kristine Barnett, author of The Spark: A Mother’s Story of Nurturing Genius, told BBC Breakfast she initially found it hard to get Jacob the right education.

More … http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22477958#?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Time to Change (T2C) Videos

A collaborative project between Bournemouth University, the local Trust, Dorset Mental Health Forum and Dorset HealthWatch has produced a collection of 3 short films featuring people who live and work/study in Dorset sharing their stories of their personal recovery from mental health issues.

Speaking up – Time to Change Dorset (T2C) Film 1

You can recover – Time to Change Dorset (T2C) Film 2

Stronger, better, person – Time to Change Dorset (T2C) Film 3

There is also an attitudes to mental health issues survey (http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PWD52K2) which aims to look at people’s experience to establish whether watching any of these videos has started to change or reinforce existing attitudes towards mental health issues.

ECU Update on Mental Health Support in HE

Last month ECU ran online surveys asking what HEIs can do to support staff and students experiencing mental health difficulties.

They received an overwhelming response, with 3500 staff and students completing the survey and say, “thank you to everyone who responded, and everyone who supported us by circulating and disseminating the survey.

We are currently analysing the results and will be conducting follow-up interviews with a selection of respondents in the coming months. We will also be conducting interviews with national and sector bodies interested in this work.

We will share the interim results in the summer, with a full report and supporting materials to follow.”

See their guidance on supporting staff and students experiencing mental health issues here:

Understanding adjustments: supporting staff and students who are experiencing mental health difficulties

Inspirational Diversity Champion of the Month – May 2013

This month is Mental Health Awareness Month, being celebrated in England between 23 and 30 May. With this in mind we have chosen Stephen Fry as our Inspirational Diversity Champion of the Month.

Stephen is well known for his variety of talents including; being an actor, quiz show host, screenwriter, author, playwright, journalist, poet, comedian, television presenter, film director, activist, and board member of Norwich City Football Club. However, what is less known about Stephen is that he suffers from Bipolar Disorder.  He was finally diagnosed when he was 37 years old having experienced mental health problems for much of his life.

He has spoken publicly about his experience with bipolar disorder, which was also depicted in the documentary ‘Stephen Fry: The Secret Life of the Manic Depressive’. During the programme, he was dismayed to discover the extent of prejudice surrounding mental health problems;

“I want to speak out, to fight the public stigma and to give a clearer picture of mental illness that most people know little about.

“Once the understanding is there, we can all stand up and not be ashamed of ourselves, then it makes the rest of the population realise that we are just like them but with something extra.”

He is involved with the mental health charity Stand to Reason and is a celebrity supporter of the mental health charity ‘Time to Change’.