Ryan Atkin: From linesman to champion – first openly gay referee on experiences

On By In LGBT

“I got a lot of people just patting me on the back and saying ‘well done, it doesn’t matter that you are gay’.”

In August 2017, Ryan Atkin became the first man refereeing in England’s professional leagues to come out as gay.

Since then, he has gone from working as an assistant referee in the English Football League to refereeing in the National League this season.

From running the line to being the man in the middle, he has been nominated has been named as one of Stonewall’s Sport Champions for 2019.

Before the charity’s Rainbow Laces campaign, which started on Friday and is aimed at tackling homophobia in sport, Atkin spoke to the BBC’s LGBT Sport Podcast and says he hopes that others can follow in his footsteps. More

Rose Hudson-Wilkin: First black female bishop consecrated

On By In Ethnicity, Religion

The first black woman to become a Church of England bishop has been consecrated at St Paul’s Cathedral.

The Rev Dr Rose Hudson-Wilkin was consecrated as the Bishop of Dover during the ceremony in London.

Dr Hudson-Wilkin said: “I’m excited, I’ve got lots of new people to meet, to get to know, and that fills me with joy.”

The former chaplain to the speaker of the house succeeds the Rt Revd Trevor Willmott who retired in May.

Dr Hudson-Wilkin was 14 when she joined the ministry and said she never thought becoming a bishop would be possible. More

Inspirational Diversity Champion of the Month – November 2019

On By In Disability, Inspirational Diversity Champion of the Month

World Diabetes Day is 14 November, with that in mind we have chosen Henry Slade as our Inspirational Diversity Champion of the Month.

Henry is a professional rugby player who signed his first professional contract with Exeter Chiefs at the age of 18, the same year in which he also developed type 1 diabetes.

He has adapted to life with diabetes but admitted there was a moment he thought his career may have come to a premature end.  He could not understand how he could continue to play and have diabetes.

Fortunately he was told his rugby career would not be jeopardised, providing he was able to control his diabetes.  He quickly educated himself on what management routines worked for training and matches, what worked best for himself and took advice from fellow rugby professional Chris Pennell who is also diabetic.

Henry has not let his diabetes hinder any of his ambitions.  He was called into the England squad in 2014 and is currently part of the England Squad at the World Cup in Japan.

When asked if diabetes has changed him, he answered: “I wouldn’t say it’s changed my life. The way I look at it is you can’t change what’s happened to you. I’ve got diabetes and it’s something I just have to live with.

To find out more about World Diabetes Day see here To find out more about Henry see here

UK Invictus Games 2020 team unveiled by Duke of Sussex

On By In Disability

A former RAF medic and RAF corporal will lead Team UK at next year’s Invictus Games in the Hague.

Capt Rachel Williamson, from Rutland, who was discharged after being injured, will lead the 65-strong team.

David Morris, of Sleaford, Lincolnshire, who has Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) will be the vice-captain.

Cpl Morris developed PTSD after a Red Arrows colleague died when his ejection seat deployed while on the ground.

The pair both represented the UK at the Invictus Games in 2018.

Prince Harry founded the Invictus Games in 2014 as a way of using sport to create a positive impact on the lives of injured service personnel and veterans. More

Booker Prize: Margaret Atwood and Bernardine Evaristo share award

On By In Age, Equality, Ethnicity, Gender

Margaret Atwood and Bernardine Evaristo have been named the joint winners of the 2019 Booker Prize after the judges broke their rules by declaring a tie.

Atwood’s The Testaments, the Canadian writer’s follow-up to The Handmaid’s Tale, was recognised alongside Londoner Evaristo’s novel Girl, Woman, Other.

The pair will split the literary award’s £50,000 prize money equally.

The Booker rules say the prize must not be divided, but the judges insisted they “couldn’t separate” the two works.

Atwood, 79, is the oldest ever Booker winner, while Evaristo is the first black woman to win. More

BBC 100 Women 2019: Who is on the list this year?

On By In Gender

The BBC has revealed its list of 100 inspiring and influential women from around the world for 2019.

This year 100 Women is asking: what would the future look like if it were driven by women?

From climate change activist Greta Thunberg, to trans woman Nisha Ayub who was put into a male prison aged 21, many on the list are driving change on behalf of women everywhere. They give us their vision of what life could look like in 2030.

Others, such as the “ghost” politician defying the mafia, and the footballer battling misogyny, are using their extraordinary personal experiences to blaze a path for those who follow. More

The Shaw Trust Power 100

On By In Disability, Inspirational Diversity Champion of the Month

The Shaw Trust Power 100 which lists the top 100 most influential disabled people includes a tribute to Mike Oliver a former member of staff of the University.

This year the list includes 4 former Inspirational Diversity Champions of the Month namely, Sophie Morgan, Matt Hampson, Tani Grey-Thompson and Ade Adepitan.

Information about the Trust and this year’s list can be found here

https://disabilitypower100.com/

Celebrating Black History Month

On By In Diversity, Equality, Ethnicity

Don’t miss the Black Excellence exhibition in Dreadnought and online – it’s just one of the events organised by the GSU and the BAME Staff Network. 4 October 2019 

The Students’ Union exhibition space in Dreadnought is hosting the Black Excellence exhibition, which celebrates and highlights the success of black students, staff and alumni from our university community.  Throughout the month it will feature a series of weekly exhibitions: 

  • Black leaders featuring staff, students and alumni
  • Black cultures through art and fashion
  • Black entrepreneurs in our university community and
  • Black alumni.

Our BAME Staff Network is also launching in Black History Month, with a launch event on 8 October, which is one of many events they have organised.

For more details of the events organised throughout the month, please see the events listings below.
https://www.gre.ac.uk/events/staff-events

HR Bulletin No 19.9 – Join Our Disability Staff Network

On By In Disability

Dear Colleagues

 Would you like to have a say in how the University:

  • Promotes equality, diversity and inclusion for staff with disability
  • Celebrates the diversity of its staff and students
  • Shapes its recruitment approaches to support diversity
  • Develops and supports staff to advance their careers
  • Develops and delivers teaching and learning to students from diverse backgrounds

If yes, then how about joining our Disability Staff Network. We welcome all new members who may have a disability (physical or hidden) themselves or who support someone else with a disability. 

Our aim is to:

  • Support all staff with disability to enable them to
    achieve their potential in their careers
  • Help make the university environment barrier-free for
    all staff and students
  • Raise awareness and educate colleagues about various
    disabilities and how to support colleagues who may have a disability

The network has direct communication channel to Senior Management through the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

Interested?

If you are interested in being a part of this inspiring group, please contact either Naseer Ahmad in the EDI Team on: n.ahmad@greenwich.ac.uk or Ciara Doyle, the Chair of the Disability Staff Network on: C.Doyle@greenwich.ac.uk

Best Regards

Gail Brindley

Director of Human Resources

Double amputee model walks at New York Fashion Week

On By In Disability

A nine-year-old model who had both legs amputated as a baby has walked the runway at New York Fashion Week.

Daisy-May Demetre, from Birmingham, is believed to be the first double amputee child to walk in an official New York Fashion Week show.

Her father Alex said she was “amazing” and “felt really proud of herself” as she modelled for brand Lulu et Gigi.

She is set to model at the top of the Eiffel Tower at Paris Fashion Week later this month. More