National Inclusion Week 2024 – Impact Matters
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South Wales Police is made up of more than 6,000 of officers, staff and volunteers. Each have unique characteristics, backgrounds, views and experiences which help us understand the needs of our diverse communities.
National Inclusion Week 2024 runs from Monday 23rd September to Sunday 29th September and this year’s theme is ‘Impact Matters’, giving us an opportunity to highlight the work we are doing to ensure South Wales Police is an inclusive employer.
Over the last year our staff networks and departments across the force have been working to ensure inclusivity within the force to really make an impact.
Our Public Service Centre (PSC) are launching several new initiatives designed to support our staff and promote inclusivity, especially during the life-changing experiences of parenthood and adoption. These initiatives reflect the forces commitment to ensuring that everyone feels valued and supported, no matter where they are in their personal or professional journey.
Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) team have been working over the last year to promote inclusivity throughout #TeamSWP including working on refreshing the Inclusion Calendar and collaborated closely with various departments and Staff Support Networks to spotlight significant events throughout the year. This approach has enabled the team to celebrate and honour events that resonate with our workforce and the communities we serve. Notable engagements include participation in South Wales Association of Muslim Police’s (SWAMP’s) Iftar event, marching in Pride, the screening of Windrush @75, and organising a prayer for emergency services alongside the Windrush Elders.
Over the last year we have seen the introduction of South Wales Listens. South Wales Listens is an initiative launched by South Wales Police aimed at strengthening community engagement and improving trust between the police and the public. It's designed to create a platform for residents in South Wales to voice their concerns, provide feedback, and share their views on local policing issues. Through this initiative, the police can better understand the needs and priorities of the communities they serve, ensuring that policing strategies are aligned with public expectations.
Our staff networks play a huge part in ensuring that we are an inclusive employer. Their ongoing support and commitment in helping to review and develop our approach and support our colleagues is vital in ensuring that TeamSWP is an inclusive and diverse workplace. Over the last 12 months we have seen significant changes being made, with the introduction of more support groups, better facilities for colleagues to use for religious purposes such as prayer mats and much more. You can find out more about our staff networks here.
Our commitment to positive action goes beyond recruitment. It is ingrained in how we operate and the services we provide. Our goal is to attract, recruit, support, and promote talented individuals who represent the diverse communities across South Wales. To truly value differences, we must be inclusive, and we believe that people from diverse backgrounds, with varied skills and experiences, bring fresh ideas that can help shape the future of South Wales Police.
Mark Stevenson, Chief People Officer, said:
“Here at Team SWP we want to support and build trust and confidence with our diverse communities. To do this we must ensure that our staff, officers and volunteers are reflective of the communities we serve and are supported in an inclusive workplace environment.
“That’s why National Inclusion Week is important to me and Team SWP.
“We truly believe our staff reflect the environment in which we work and the standards and values which we adhere to. Our workforce EDI plan not only puts specific emphasis on attracting and recruiting colleagues from under-represented groups and communities, but also is committed to developing a culture of inclusion through learning, supportive policies, and clear leadership expectations.
“Over the last year, the force has implemented a number of programmes aimed at increasing inclusivity within the force. Our strong commitment to become a more inclusive and diverse workplace can only be achieved with the continued support from our staff networks who continue to help review and develop our approach and support colleagues in work. Their ongoing work and commitment are very much appreciated, and I would like to thank them for their contribution.
“We have seen initiatives such as the establishment of an endometriosis working group, toolkits for our staff and officers who are pregnant, new parents or adopting. We are also proud of the investment and support we have in place for colleagues from underrepresented groups to develop their skills and support their career progression within the force.
“The efforts that have been made over the last year by our staff networks and various departments across the organisation are key to ensuring SWP is an inclusive employer and I look forward to seeing the impact of these changes.”