Allies - Breaking down barriers
Our Allies network support all other staff networks. We believe that people perform better when they can be themselves. Allies use their role within the Council to create a culture where this can happen.
Our Network’s principles are to:
Advance fair treatment
- Ensure all people experience full equality in the workplace
- Challenge cultures where people can’t be themselves.
Being an Ally
There is no right or wrong way of being an ally. All that is required is that you actively demonstrate your beliefs that fairness and equality are important through your actions and words.
Below are some ways that you can show your support and be an active ally:
Be visible – let people know you’re an ally
- Talk positively about why you are committed to equality
- Challenge unacceptable language and behaviour in the workplace
- Support and signpost colleagues who can’t be themselves in the workplace
- Support other staff networks
- Support and promote equality campaigns by raising awareness
- Encourage others to become allies
- Be involved in awareness days, coffee mornings and equality events
- Listen and share stories.
For further information, or if you wish to join, please email Allies@rctcbc.gov.uk
RCT Carers Network
The RCTCBC Carers Network provides a safe and supportive environment for carers to share experiences, gain emotional support and access information and resources that can assist them in their caregiving roles whist employed by RCT.
Our objectives are to:
- Provide Emotional Support: offer a space where working carers can express their feelings without judgement.
- Share Information: Disseminate information about caregiving, available service and resources.
- Reduce Isolation: Create opportunities for social interaction to reduce the sense of isolation often felt by carers.
- Develop Coping Strategies: Help carers develop effective coping strategies to manage stress and caregiving challenges alongside their working life.
- Advocate for Carers: Represent the interests and needs of carers to RCTCBC as employees of the organisation.
If you’d like to join the Carers Network, please contact: equality@rctcbc.gov.uk.
Disabled Staff Network
The Disabled Staff Network (DSN) is open to all staff with a disability or health condition, including a mental health condition or non-visible disability, or anyone with an interest in disability or accessibility issues in the Council.
We meet as a group to share our experiences of working for the Council, and work together to find ways that the Council can better support its disabled staff.
We believe that disabled staff are an asset to the Council, and that there is power in seeing disabled workers thriving in the workplace. Our role as a network is to champion and raise awareness of disabilities in the workplace – both visible and non-visible.
We work to explore and highlight the barriers that disabled staff face in the Council, and work with senior leaders and other officers to explore how we can remove these barriers. We signpost support available to staff, and serve as an opportunity to share good practice for staff and managers.
The DSN is a positive space to make a difference for staff – if you’d like to join us please get in touch at equality@rctcbc.gov.uk.
Neurodiversity Staff Network (ND Network)
Led by neurodiverse Council staff, the Network is fully endorsed by the Council’s Senior Leadership Team and has been established to support the Council on the journey to accept, protect and celebrate neurodiversity within its workforce. The Network will comprise of 3 main strands:
- Information, awareness raising and campaigns – this wider part of the network is for support and awareness raising for all staff (neurodiverse or neurotypical). This group will provide advice and awareness for those interested in neurodiversity, but also for those looking for information on diagnosis pathways etc. We will also be involved in campaigns to tackle stigma and discrimination and improve the experience of working for the Council for everyone
- Peer Support Group for neurodiverse staff – this part of the Network is open to any Council employee who has a formal diagnosis of neurodiversity or is on the diagnostic pathway (this means you have been referred for assessment/on a diagnosis waitlist). This is a closed group to provide a unique safe and confidential space for members.
- Supporting the organisational business of the Council – this will involve members of the ND Staff Network being available to advocate for neurodiverse staff and support managers in the provision of reasonable adjustments
Currently, our Peer Support Group is open for staff who would like to join. If you would like to join the Peer Support part of the ND network, or would like any further information, please contact NDnetwork@rctcbc.gov.uk. We currently meet on a monthly basis, and staff are able to attend these meetings as part of their working hours.
For queries or more information on joining the ND Network Peer Support Group, please contact NDNetwork@rctcbc.gov.uk.
Perthyn - Aspiring to belong
Do you identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Trans? Are you interested in making a difference for LGBTQIA+ colleagues? Would you like to be part of an exciting staff network?
Perthyn is our LGBTQIA+ staff network, open to any staff who work within, or on behalf of the Council and self-identifies as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer/Questioning, Intersex and Asexual – please note that Trans, Queer/Questioning and the ‘+’ symbol are umbrella terms to describe people whose gender is not the same as, or does not sit comfortably with, the sex they were assigned at birth, or have a different gender or sexual identity.
Perthyn aims to:
- Support the Council with their on-going commitment towards creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where LGBTQIA+ members of staff can be visible without fear of reprisal, while being free from discrimination or prejudicial practice in their working lives
- Maintain a safe space where membership is voluntary and treated confidentially – the group accepts that members may not wish to “come out” in the workplace and we respect their wish to remain anonymous while participating in events with the network
- Advise the Council on the development of its diversity and inclusion policies
- Act as a signposting service for staff and volunteers to report any discrimination or prejudicial behaviour they have been a victim of and/or witnessed in the workplace. The network will work closely with the Diversity and Inclusion Team in accordance with the Dignity At Work Policy to deal with these issues should they be made known to the network or any of its members.
For further information, or if you wish to join, please email Perthyn@rctcbc.gov.uk.
Spotlight
Spotlight is the staff network for people of all racial and cultural backgrounds, who are passionate about making organisational change.
The network provides a space to discuss, question, challenge and take action where necessary to promote race equality and diversity.
We welcome people from a range of ethnic backgrounds to contribute to a wider discussion for progression.
We are here to advocate for racial equality and diversity. Through sharing our experiences, we aim to bring new perspectives and fresh ideas that help drive change to ensure that Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is welcoming to all.
Our network principles are:
- A safe space to share our experiences
- Affect change in the organisation
- Discuss social issues like racism
- Being solution orientated for problems we face
- Embrace diverse cultural backgrounds
For further information, or if you wish to join, please email Spotlight@rctcbc.gov.uk.