There is Power in Diversity
By SZC Networks | Published on 25 September 2023 | 4 min read
SZC’s Social Value Specialist, Sara Warwick, kicks off this year’s National Inclusion Week with a blog about inclusion and diversity
Today (Monday 25 September 2023) marks the beginning of #NationalInclusionWeek2023, a week dedicated to celebrating inclusion and taking action to create inclusive workplaces. This year, the theme is #TakeActionMakeImpact.
Having worked at both Sizewell C and Hinkley Point C for over 11 years, I joined the ESG team in April this year as a Social Value Specialist whilst also holding the position of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) Networks Coordinator. I am passionate about promoting ED&I in the workplace and believe it’s essential in creating a working environment where everyone feels comfortable in bringing their whole selves to work and are empowered to reach their full potential. Inclusion week serves as an important reminder of this.
SZC team members at an event hosted by the United for Race Equality network
We want Sizewell C to have a workforce where everyone is given equal access to opportunities, and understands, respects, and embraces diversity. To help achieve this goal, we have established 7 networks made up of fantastic volunteers – Disabilities, Carers & Parents, Forces Support, Gender Balance, Mental Health Support Group, Next Generation, Pride and United for Race Equality (URE). Our aims are to raise awareness, power change and connect with Suffolk communities.
As well as all the Network activities and initiatives throughout the year, Sizewell C has signed up to the Nuclear Sector Deal Target of 40% Women in Nuclear by 2030 and joined as a member of Women into Construction. We became an Industry Partner with Inclusion and Diversity in Nuclear, trained Mental Health First Aiders and just very recently signed the Armed Forces Covenant. We also launched our Doing the Power of Good for Suffolk initiative.
Dr Neil Bentley-Gockmann (right) visits SZC to talk about how to promote and support inclusivity at work
In line with this year’s theme, we will be encouraging the Sizewell C team to make ED&I pledges. Our Pride Network just hosted brilliant guest speaker Dr Neil Bentley-Gockmann, who spoke of both his own personal journey and also how we can best promote an inclusive culture. This was followed by rainbow cakes and networking at all locations to encourage further discussion. In addition to this, the Ipswich & Suffolk Council for Racial Equality will be presenting a session on ‘unconscious bias’, sponsored by the URE Network. Also EDF (UK) will be hosting a series of webinars.
Early next year we will host our second Networks Community Day in Suffolk where we will get together with local communities. It’s a good opportunity for us to meet with some amazing charities and organisations who do incredible work and discuss how we can best support them. We have a great speaker lined up who will talk about the community benefit from our sister project, Hinkley Point C. I’m really looking forward to it.
Sizewell C is committed to providing long-term socio-economic benefits to people and businesses across the East of England, and throughout the UK. Our ambition is to build more than just a power station – it’s to make a significant positive contribution to local employment, skills, businesses, and people. We want to be a catalyst for long-term change and leave a real legacy.
I love working for Sizewell C. It’s exciting to be part of something that really is going to do the Power of Good for Britain!
Find out more about our networks below ⬇️
Posted by SZC Networks