South Downs National Park

What impact has the Inclusive Teams programme had on South Downs National Park Authority?

Tim Slaney, Chief Executive

“I would say one of the best things about the whole programme is that people are actively talking about what inclusion means, how they’ve gone about changing it, and we’re learning from each other.”

Vicky Paterson, HR Manager

“More conversations are happening about things”.

Jeff Travis, Media & Public Relations Officer

“For me, I think this training has opened up the neurodiversity conversation at the authority. Realising that a lot of us are actually neurodivergent and you can’t have a one size fits all approach. It really doesn’t work.”

Tim Slaney, Chief Executive

“I’ve definitely noticed a tone of slightly more gentleness. People are more aware of and open of these more personal issues that inevitably are going to be brought into the workspace to some degree.”

Vicky Paterson, HR Manager

We had quite a significant change with hybrid meetings. They weren’t very inclusive of the people that were on the screen. And so we now have a meeting etiquette: we remind people, we are respectful to people, we let everybody speak, and everyone is treated the same, whether they are in the room or if they are on screen. And that’s made a massive difference, particularly to a couple of people who have hearing impairments who really, really struggle even when they’re in the room with the meetings.”

Ruth James, Head of Communications & Engagement

“I think because everybody is doing it and there’s the feeling that it’s all staff, it’s managers, it’s right from the top to the bottom that it’s kind of reassured people that the organisation really takes fairness and the quality of your work-life balance and your experience at work really seriously. And I think that means a lot to people.”

Tim Slaney, Chief Executive

“But it’s now a real positive that people are saying, I’ve actively sought out different voices, I’ve actively changed my behaviour to adapt to the particular situation somebody.”

Vicky Paterson, HR Manager

“Our new starters are really commenting and we’ve had, in our EDI group, we have somebody who’s recently started with us who just said it’s a really inclusive. They’re almost saying it’s a really inclusive organisation. I’ve been made to feel so welcome and I think so that’s having quite a big impact internally.”

Tim Slaney, Chief Executive

“I think the most powerful thing is getting the whole organisation to do it. Officers, members, colleagues, all talking about the same sort of thing. It’s a great unifying point. Who’d have thought that? I mean, it should have been self-evident, but doing this course has been a fantastic unifying element for the whole organisation.”