UK Disability History Month
It’s UK Disability History Month, an annual event established in 2010 to help raise awareness of the significant struggles faced by disabled people in society – both historically and during the present day, and to advocate for disability equality, inclusion and human rights.
Working in partnership with Occupational Health, HR departments across the system, and disability and long- term health conditions staff support networks, such as ThisAbility, your JUCD Wellbeing team has created an extensive service offer to best support colleagues living with health inequalities.
Delivered through a popular range of physical activity classes, workshops, training courses and support groups and cafés, the wellbeing team offers a wealth of targeted support for colleagues with disabilities, hidden disabilities, neurodiversity and/or long- term health conditions, helping to promote disability equality and inclusivity.
To support UK Disability History Month, running this year from 16th November to 16th December 2023, the following online support groups/cafés are available across the system to support colleagues with disabilities, long-term health conditions and neurodivergence:
Supporting your Team with a Health Condition or Disability – A group for managers and leaders: learn and share ideas on supporting members of staff with a long-term health condition or disability. Thursday 16th November & Thursday 14th December 11am – 11.45am
Returning to work following ill health – a relaxed and supportive group to promote your health and wellbeing when returning to work following sickness or absence. Thursday 16th November (running weekly) 10am – 10.45am
Neurodiverse Café – a friendly space for colleagues who identify as neurodivergent to connect, chat, share advice and support each other. Monday 20th Nov 2pm – 2.45pm
Working with a Health Condition support Café – a safe space for colleagues living with a chronic health condition, hidden illness, or disability. Build connections with peers, share experiences, and find out about the support available. Friday 24th November 10am – 10.45am
The wellbeing team are also running a range of online workshops across UK Disability History Month to support colleagues living with health inequalities. This includes:
Autism Training: Living Well with Autism for Frontline Professionals – Tuesday 21st November 1- 5pm & Tuesday 12th December 10am- 1pm
Neurodiversity in Focus: Strategies for Workplace Stress – Thursday 23rd November 9.30am – 10am
Hidden Disability Awareness – Wednesday 6th December 2pm – 2.45pm
Embracing Neurodiversity in the Workplace – Thursday 7th December 12pm – 1pm
Improve your Respiratory Health – Friday 8th Dec 1pm – 2pm
Negative thinking patterns workshop – Monday 11th Dec 12pm – 12.45pm
Inclusive Festivities: Honouring Neurodiversity this Season – Monday 18th December 9.30am – 10am
Colleagues can also join the team’s online Disability and Wellbeing Network – Monday 27th November 1pm – 2.30pm
All support sessions are FREE of charge and can be booked by the teams easy to use online booking system
The supportive sessions are led by the teams Health Improvement Advisors with assistance from additional services, such as staff networks, Occupational Health, Human Resources, IT, and Union rep. Sessions often include keynote guest speakers.
For further information about colleague/manager disability support, please email: ddicb.wellbeing@nhs.net
To view the full range of support sessions and webinars available for all JUCD colleagues, please visit the team’s Wellbeing Timetable Web Page
