Uncategorised – Page 7 – Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Diversity and Wellbeing Week 14-18 March 2016 ‘In Someone Else’s Shoes’

On 24 March 2016 By In Diversity, Uncategorised

Linked to the University’s EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) and People Strategies, Diversity and Wellbeing Week 2016 promoted awareness and understanding of our diverse student and staff population by bringing together an array of internal and external engagement activities and exhibition stalls which will helped us to share, learn and stay informed.

In collaboration with the University Occupational Health and Wellbeing Team, Students Union, GK Unions and Student Services, the week’s theme looked at situations from a different point of view to empathise and understand by changing perception. Here are some of the activities that took place:

14 March – Greenwich Campus

At our Greenwich Campus we could take part in the ‘EDI Key Inspirational People’ photography campaign. What does EDI mean to you? #Equality

Or find out about the‘Inspirational Women’ Poster display which lightlighted the nominated role models from the University of Greenwich. #SheInspiresme

There were also stalls and information relating to Sustainability, Healthy Eating, Safety Unit, Stroke Association, LGBT+ stallholders and many more…

14 March – Greenwich Campus

Our LGBT+ Staff Network held a LGBT+ Rights in the Commonwealth evening seminar.

16 March – Medway Campus

Joining together with our friends from the GK Unions and their Diversity Fayre , we enjoyed Traditional Bhangra dancing, Chinese cultural dancing, demonstration of various martial arts, sign language choir and more. We were able to sample World Cuisines including: Moroccan style couscous, Tandoori chicken curry, Greek salad, Mexican nachos, Chinese sweet and sour chicken, Thai spring rolls, French crepes and let’s not forget, the traditional English tea with scones, cream and jam.

18 March – Avery Hill Campus

At Avery Hill we were joined by a selection of stallholders such as Diabetes UK, Student Wellbeing, Information Library Services, Cancer Prevention, Student Voice, LGBT+ Staff Network, Sustainability and many more.

18 March Greenwich Campus – ORNC Chapel

Favourite Choral Classics Concert.

The University Choir and Orchestra in collaboration with the Blackheath Halls Youth Choir celebrated the diverse music played by composers of both genders and all sexualities plus the Choir demonstrated their sign language skills.

19 March David Fussey Sports Hall 1.00 pm – 2.00 pm

Our Students Union organised a five a side football session to hightlight the ‘Kick It Out’ campaign (reducing discrimination in football).

There was also the following campaigns running throughtout the week.

#takeastand week is part of BUCS’ Take a Stand Campaign #teamgreenwich

Equality Facebook Campaign #Equality

Rainbow Laces Campaign

The week was very successful and we would like to thank all those who took part and came along and joined in.

Time to Change Pledge

On 18 March 2016 By In Mental Health, Uncategorised

A commitment to removing the stigma of mental health issues has seen the university sign the Time to Change pledge.

Run by leading charities, Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, Time to Change is England’s biggest programme for challenging mental health stigma and discrimination. More

Pop songs ‘derogatory about growing old’

On 9 March 2016 By In Age, Uncategorised

Pop records set a bad example by portraying ageing and old people in a negative light, focusing on dying and physical decline, according to a study in a nursing journal.

UK researchers trawled the musical archives from the 1930s to the present day for any tracks mentioning old age.

The majority – 55 out of 76 songs – focused on “bad” aspects of ageing.

The Beatles and Elton John feature on the “negative list”, along with Pulp and The Who. More

Gender pay gap: women earn £300,000 less than men over working life

On 7 March 2016 By In Equality, Gender, Uncategorised

Women are likely to earn £300,000 less than men over their working lives, according to a new analysis that has sparked fresh calls for more shared parental leave to close the UK’s stubborn gender pay gap.

Before International Women’s Day on Tuesday, figures show a gap of £5,732, or 24%, in average full-time annual salaries between women and men – more than four decades after the Equal Pay Act of 1970 was introduced.

Over a career of 52 years, that gap translates into a lifetime earnings shortfall of £298,064 for female employees, according to the analysis by the recruitment company Robert Half. More

University Mental Health Day 2016

On 3 March 2016 By In Mental Health, Uncategorised

University Mental Health Day 2016 will be taking place on campuses across the UK on Thursday the 3rd of March.

University Mental Health Day is a great opportunity to bring together all of the key players in student mental health. By being part of a national initiative, we can work together to reach a wider audience and make a noise about mental health on campuses across the UK. The day is also an opportunity to get more students involved in volunteering projects and events, helping to build up a larger base of students and staff to support future health promotion and campaigns.

The initiative was started by UMHAN (University Mental Health Advisers Network) in 2012 and is supported by Student Minds and members of the Alliance for Student-Led Wellbeing.

Women ‘feature on only 13% of London’s blue plaques’

On 1 March 2016 By In Gender, Uncategorised

Only 13% of blue plaques in London are dedicated to women, English Heritage has revealed.

The organisation (EH) is appealing for people to nominate more notable women for the plaques, of which there are currently 902 around the capital.

The appeal comes as Women’s History Month gets under way, and in the blue plaque scheme’s 150th year. More

Rise in wellbeing in late 60s, survey finds

On 29 February 2016 By In Age, Uncategorised

The wellbeing of people in their 60s increases as they reach the age of 70, according to a national survey.

That is despite many people in the age group having at least one chronic disease.

Participants were asked to rate how confident, cheerful, relaxed and useful they felt in their early 60s and then again aged 68 to 69. More

Diversity Week 2016

On 29 February 2016 By In Age, Celebrate Difference and Diversity, Disability, Diversity, Equality, Gender, LGBT, Mental Health, Race, Religion, Transgender, Uncategorised

This year Diversity Week takes place during the week beginning 14 March 2016 in collaboration with the Students’ Union, GK Unions and Health and Wellbeing. The week will include activities and exhibitions with a theme of ‘In Someone Else’s Shoes’. Everyone is welcome to come along and we look forward to seeing you.

14th March Greenwich, The Undercroft Stalls and Activities (including Wellbeing Week) 10.30am – 2.30pm

14th March Queen Anne 165 ‘Football: Tackling discrimination’ workshop with Kick It Out 4.00pm – onwards

14th March Queen Anne 080 LGBT+ Rights in the Commonwealth 5.30pm – 7.30pm

16th March Medway Campus, Pilkington Hall/Atrium Diversity Fair/World Café/Stalls (including Wellbeing Week) 10.30am – 2.00pm

18th March Avery Hill Campus, The Dome Stalls and Activities (including Wellbeing Week) 10.30am – 2.00pm

19th March David Fussy Sports Hall Kick It Out – FREE Five-a-Side Football 12.00pm – 2.00pm

14th – 20th March #takeastand week is part of BUCS’ Take a Stand campaign #teamgreenwich

14th – 18th March Equality Facebook Campaign #Equality

14th – 18th March Rainbow Laces Campaigns

World Book Day: Heroines fight off heroes in poll

On 22 February 2016 By In Gender, Uncategorised

Heroines and female villains outnumber heroes and male baddies in a literary poll of memorable children’s novel characters, to mark World Book Day.

Six of the top 10 heroes/heroines voted for were female, including Harry Potter’s Hermione Granger and Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games series.

Seven out of 10 villains were female, including Matilda’s Miss Trunchbull. More

Stephanie Kurlow: Young Muslim student awarded scholarship by Björn Borg in aim to become world’s first-ever hijab-wearing ballerina

On 17 February 2016 By In Diversity, Religion, Uncategorised

A teenage schoolgirl who said she dreamed of bringing the world together by becoming the first-ever hijab-wearing ballerina looks set to achieve her goal after being awarded a life-changing scholarship.

Sports fashion brand Björn Borg – named after the former number one Swedish tennis player – has announced it was moved to help 14-year-old Australian student Stephanie Kurlow after being “genuinely inspired” by the teen’s story. More