YAS Staff Networks

A number of staff networks exist across the organisation. This page provides more information.

We are committed to developing a culture that promotes the diversity and inclusion of our staff and service users and to providing everyone with standards of service that are personal, fair and diverse wherever possible, regardless of age, disability, gender, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.

The Trust is passionate about the establishment of staff networks and fully recognises the benefits to both our staff and the wider organisation. The aim of these groups is to provide an opportunity for staff that share one or more aspects of their identity such as their sexual orientation, race, or disability status, to communicate, network, meet and support each other.

Staff networks also provide an opportunity for staff to engage with the organisation about service or employment issues and to work with the organisation to address any discrimination or barriers that our workforce may face.

What does Pride@YAS (the LGBT+ Network) do?

  • Offers a supportive environment to employees from within the LGBT+ community.
  • Signposts to valuable support services and resources.
  • Offers support and guidance to those who wish to become allies or improve their allyship.
  • Raise the visbility of LGBT+ staff members, ensuring their voices are heard at all levels of the Trust.
  • Promoting the inclusion of LGBT+ matters in report writing and organisational changes.
  • Influence and contribute to the writing and reviewing of policies and procedures within the Trust.
  • Works with all levels of the Trust to eliminate discriminations experienced by LGBT+ staff and patients.
  • Collaborating with the other Staff Network groups, such as the BME Network and the Disability Network.
  • Coordinate with the National LGBT+ Ambulance Network in running events such as development days and national conferences.
  • Collaborate with partners in the National LGBT+ Ambulance Network to produce resources, support and guidance.
  • Promotes LGBT+ events and news happening across Yorkshire.

 

The BME Staff Network

The BME Staff Network has been established to support staff, enhance patient care and support the organisation with policy and procedure review. Our successes to date include the development of a prayer guide, review of a policy on death and dying as well as in-depth involvement with the Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES) with very senior managers and the Trust Board.

The BME Staff Network is committed to:

  • Embracing diversity and promoting inclusivity.
  • Promoting culture change in the organisation through lived experiences and offer solutions to barriers.
  • Welcoming and supporting BME staff.
  • Commitment to advancing race equality and raising the profile of careers available within YAS.
  • Promoting staff health and wellbeing whilst working in the Service.
  • Improving BME patient experience and outcomes by being patient advocates and promoting excellent clinical practice.
  • Engaging with staff and communities.

 

Disability Support Network (DSN)

Not all disabilities can be seen but you can be heard. Joining the Disability Support Network (DSN) gives you a voice to improve understanding of disabilities, raise awareness and use your knowledge and experience to influence change across Yorkshire Ambulance Service. Come along and have your say on disability issues.

The role of the DSN involves:

  • working with the Trust to eliminate discrimination experienced by disabled staff
  • providing a safe space for staff to meet other staff with disabilities to reduce feelings of isolation
  • finding out more about diversity and inclusion within the organisation and each person’s rights at work
  • raising awareness of “hidden disabilities” and make reasonable adjustments
  • working with the Trust to see an increase in the number of people declaring that they have a disability on ESR
  • supporting colleagues who experience difficulties related to disabilities through meetings and virtual networks
  • influencing policy and decision-making related to disability issues
  • providing an information base so all YAS staff can be informed about disability issues and share best practice.

We are always keen to develop more staff networks so if you have a suggestions or any ideas of how we can do this in the future, our Diversity and Inclusion Advisor would love to hear from you, please email yas.equality@nhs.net

 

Armed Forces Network

The Armed Forces Network has been created to offer support and comradeship for staff and volunteers of the armed forces community within Yorkshire Ambulance Service. The network will provide a voice to the community at YAS, creating a platform to improve the workplace experience of our veterans, reservists and family members working and volunteering at YAS.

  • The network will be a place to discuss any issues and challenges facing members from a professional or personal perspective, including signposting to external support available to colleagues.
  • It will be an opportunity to form a cohesive voice regarding the community.
  • It will be a supportive space with other colleagues that have similar experiences and backgrounds.
  • To influence policy making and monitor existing policies to ensure that equality is proactively considered for the armed forces community.
  • To support local and national Armed Forces events and initiatives.
  • To raise the profile of the Armed Forces Community within YAS including key dates in the armed forces calendar such as Remembrance Day and Armed Forces Day.

Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Award

We have been awarded the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Award which recognises our contribution to supporting the military community.
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The prestigious award recognises the service’s commitment to supporting both current and former members of the Armed Forces – veterans, families, reservists and cadet instructors – and being a valued employer of choice for those leaving the military.

Prior to submitting a nomination for ERS, it is compulsory for the employer to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant (AFC), an agreement that pledges an employer’s intent to support the military community.