Kaleidoscope LGBT+ Staff and PGR Group

The Kaleidoscope group is open to all staff and postgraduate researchers at the University who identify as LGBT+, including people of any sexual orientation, disability status, gender, race, religion or age.

The group aims to provide the following:

• Social events to get to know LGBT+ staff and postgraduate researchers from varied departments across the University
• Lines of support and contacts for any LGBT+ issues in the workplace
• Representation of LGBT+ interests at University level

See Terms of Reference for more details.

To join as a member and receive email updates about Kaleidoscope events, you can sign up via Kaleidoscope blog.

Please email us or visit our website for more details.

Disabled Staff Support Group (DSSG)

DSSG is a friendly support group for staff with any sort of disability, medical condition, learning difficulty or long-term health problem. If you want to meet people who are in a similar situation, either for support or to exchange information and experiences, DSSG may be what you are looking for.

You can either email us for more information about the group, or just turn up on the day.

Aims and Objectives

The purpose of the Group To significantly improve the level of access to employment and development opportunities for disabled people at the University of Bath and provide support to existing members of staff.

The group aims to:

• act as a forum for disabled staff at the University for the exchange of information and ideas and to provide a support network for members of the group and other disabled staff.
• increase understanding of the importance and benefits of valuing diversity.
• advise and influence management within the University in the development, assessment and implementation of policies relating to disabled staff.
• work with the University community towards ensuring the equality and diversity policies are mainstreamed.
• lobby and help all staff within the University to turn the equality policies into action.

Objectives

The group will:

• seek to influence in a clear and effective manner
• look at the range of suggested options when deciding how to proceed on a particular issue
• be open to new ideas and keep all matters within the group confidential
• represent a group of people who have been disadvantaged by a failure to accommodate, for whatever reason, their needs and requirements and aims to be accessible to all

Terms of reference

The Disabled Staff Support Group (DSSG) acts as a centre of resources and information on disability and a lobbying group on disability issues. We offer a support network for members of the group and staff with a disability, impairment or long-term health problem at the University.

Race Equality group

This is a new Race Equality Staff Group. The group aims to provide peer support for members, to organise awareness raising events and to create an opportunity university-wide for a collective voice. If you would like to join the group please email University's ED&I team

All staff groups have a seat on the Equality and Diversity Network (EDN) to represent the views of the particular group. The EDN reports to the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee which reports to the University Council.

Carers Support Network

The Carers’ Support Network is a friendly and inclusive group that aims to support staff at the University who are also carers. We will support you in successfully managing the sometimes conflicting demands of work and the carer’s role. It is for all staff who have a caring responsibility, whether or not they are the prime carer for their family member or loved one and no matter what form that caring role takes.

Members support each other by exchanging information and experiences. The group also hosts occasional speakers for topics that are relevant to the role and situation of the working carer.

Definition of a carer

NHS England defines a carer as anyone who looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem, or an addiction, and cannot cope without their support. The care they give is unpaid. It is estimated that one in nine of the UK workforce has a caring role.

If you are a carer and are interested in joining the Carers’ Network, you can either email us or you are welcome to come along to any of our meetings, which are advertised here.

Aims

The Network aims to act as a staff forum for exchanging information and ideas about achieving a balance between caring, work, and having sufficient opportunities for self-care.

The Network further aims to raise the profile of issues connected with the working carer, and aims to work with the University to recognise and make reasonable adjustments for their needs in terms of University policy and practice.

Objectives

The Group will:

• provide informal opportunities to learn strategies and techniques for managing work-life balance between caring and work roles, and will encourage members to find time for self-care
• be open to new ideas, and will explore and research practical solutions to particular problems
• seek to influence University policy and practice in a clear and effective manner
• keep all matters concerning individuals within the group confidential

The Group will not:

• provide or organise professional counselling or medical interventions;
• intervene in issues between individuals and their line managers.

Terms of reference

The Carers’ Support Network supports all staff who have a caring role with aspects of work-life balance including family-friendly working, caring responsibilities, and minimising work-place stress. It will provide informal support for individuals at times of transition such as returning to work after illness or following a period of compassionate leave. It will aim to better prepare both members and the University for enabling and assisting carers to remain in work successfully for as long as the individual wishes.

Criteria for recognition

• Equality Groups should focus on aspects of the University’s equalities and diversity agenda, currently encompassing disability equality, race equality and lesbian, gay bisexual and trans issues.
• All equality groups should have clearly stated aims of the group along with terms of reference.
• Equality Groups should provide feedback through the University’s Equality and Diversity Network.
• Equality Groups should be aware that their suggestions for changes based on the needs of their group may not be taken up by the University.

Progress for gaining recognition

Equality groups wishing to gain recognition should test to see whether they meet the criteria.

1. The prospective members should meet to decide whether they are covered by legislation relating to equality in the workplace. If not they need not follow the remaining steps in this list.
2. If they are a relevant equality group they should decide on a focus, aims of the group and terms of reference for that particular group.
3. If there is any difficulty finding out whether a similar group has already been formed, the proposed group should contact the Secretary of the Equality and Diversity Network to confirm whether an equality group with the same focus already exists.
4. The group should use the criteria for recognition (see above) before submitting their case for approval by the Equality and Diversity Committee.
5. Once approved the Equality Group will be offered one representative place onto the Equality and Diversity Network.

Ongoing recognition

A review of equality group’s aims and terms of reference should take place every three years. This should include confirmation they are in contact with those in their constituency. A representative of the group should attend Equality and Diversity Network meetings. Groups should be available to comment on management proposals as equality strand representatives of a particular section of employees.