How NCHA has ensured EDI is a priority at all levels of the organisation

At Nottingham Community Housing Association (NCHA), equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) is at the heart of everything we do.

We have an EDI Strategy which outlines our targets for the next five years and the steps we’ll take to achieving them. Our three priorities are nurturing our inclusive culture, improving recruitment and retention of our colleagues from diverse heritage backgrounds, and improving our inclusive services.

We’re proud of our inclusive culture. Our last colleague engagement survey told us that 77% of employees say we’re a great place to work. Other results included:

• 93% say people are treated fairly, regardless of their sexual orientation.
• 89% say people are treated fairly, regardless of their race. 

Our EDI Panel meets once a quarter to review how our various actions and initiatives are progressing, and to make changes or offer support where required. This group is supported by a dedicated person in our HR team, who is committed to championing EDI.

NCHA also has two EDI groups representing and championing colleagues’ interests. These are:

• Our Diverse Heritage Colleague Forum – this group represents the diverse and collective interests of NCHA’s colleagues who come from diverse heritage backgrounds. It aims to provide a safe space for colleagues to come, share their views and gives an opportunity to contribute to activities the forum is involved in, supporting our EDI Strategy and working together to build on our inclusive culture. Following a successful reverse mentoring programme, this group recently worked with our Learning and Development team to create a Diverse Heritage Development Programme for colleagues which will begin this autumn.
• Our Diversity Champions – this group of colleagues represent different protected characteristics, with some representing more than one, thereby highlighting the intersectionality of our colleagues. They help to raise awareness of EDI topics amongst colleagues at NCHA and promote engagement with national awareness campaigns. 
  • Two of our Diversity Champions recently supported the organisation to celebrate Pride month by hosting an informal quiz on LGBT+ pop culture icons and a lunch and learn event on LGBT+ history.

Getting buy in from senior leadership through executive sponsorship

The profile of the Diverse Heritage Colleague Forum and the Diversity Champions within NCHA was recently raised even further with the appointment of executive sponsors for both. The role of the executive sponsor is to support the work of the group, share their expertise and knowledge, and offer guidance where needed.

There was considerable interest in these roles from our Executive and Senior Leadership teams, resulting in informal interviews being held for the positions and, as each person is in place as sponsor for one year, there is now a succession plan for who will take on the role next.

Naomi Dobraszczyc’s role

Naomi Dobraszczyc, our Director of Finance and Resources, was appointed as the first sponsor for the Diverse Heritage Colleague Forum. Although Naomi doesn’t speak any Polish, her surname comes from her paternal grandparents who were Polish refugees at the end of the second world war.

Naomi said: “I’ve recently started attending NCHA’s Diverse Heritage Forum and I can see a real passion and drive in the group. The plans for the coming year have just been agreed and will focus our energy on important outcomes such as launching our positive action development programme.”

Naomi is currently helping to recruit a new chair for this group and will support them to manage the meetings. She’s keen to see the group run as effectively and inclusively as possible.

Nicki Kirkup’s role

Nicki Kirkup, Head of Communications and Engagement, and member of our Senior Leadership team, was appointed as the first sponsor for our Diversity Champions.

Nicki said: “It’s really important that all colleagues feel included and represented at work. The Diversity Champions do a great job of celebrating and raising awareness of equality, diversity and inclusion issues – but of course, there’s more we can do. I’m really excited to work alongside this group to support their campaigns, get involved where I can and make sure their voices are heard at all levels of the business.”

Nicki is working on helping the Diversity Champions to define their role and encourage more colleagues to get involved. In addition, her wide-ranging communications and events experience enable her to offer great advice.

With the engagement of so many of our colleagues, and the support of our new executive sponsors, we’re confident that we can work together to nurture and grow our inclusive culture at NCHA. We want to continue to build an environment where everyone feels welcome, included and celebrated.

For more examples of best practice and resources to support you to implement these kinds of initiatives at your organisation, visit the NHF's equality, diversity and inclusion page.