National leader joins Sussex

Koffi Williams has joined Sussex Partnership NHS Trust, which provides mental health, specialist learning disability and substance misuse services for Brighton & Hove, East Sussex and West Sussex.

Koffi Williams previously worked at the London Development Agency and delivered a flagship initiative on behalf of the Mayor of London called 'Diversity works for London'. Koffi is an organisational and social development consultant, with experience in the UK and Africa, both in the Public and Private sectors.

The trust is about to consult on our Single Equality Scheme, which brings together gender, race, ethnicity, faith, sexuality and disability. Members of staff, stakeholder groups and service users will be given the opportunity to comment on the scheme.

The trust has recently signed up to the Stonewall 'Diversity Champions' Programme for employers, and has just re-launched its BME, (Black and Minority Ethnic), network at a special event held at the University of Sussex. Titled the 'Story So Far', the event launching the Sussex-wide network asked attendees to share their ideas and suggestions about how the network should be structured and how the trust could better promote BME interests the workplace.

Koffi said, "First and foremost I would like to commend the leadership of the Trust on the commitment it has demonstrated to the equality and diversity agenda. In my experience without senior level support, a diversity effort, however well intentioned, is doomed to failure."

"Becoming a diverse and inclusive organisation, where all employees are valued and respected, is not a destination but rather a journey, and like any journey the first steps are often the most important ones."

Lisa Rodrigues, Chief Executive said, "our equality and diversity networks have mine and the trust board's full support to take action in areas where they wish to highlight good practice or are concerned about stigma or discrimination."

In June Lisa Rodrigues will also be speaking at a conference arranged by the new South East Coast BME staff network, where she will be highlighting the importance of trust staff networks as a means of supporting staff from minority groups.

Koffi Williams priorities are to help the trust to;

'¢ Look at all our policies relating to staff or people using our services and their carers so that we are sure our policies are fit for purpose and do not discriminate.

'¢ Review our training and development strategies for staff about the importance of the equality and diversity in employment and the delivery of services.

'¢ Developing a list of all the duties required of us as a trust, and the development of an overall equality and diversity strategy