Supporting and embracing our diverse community
With this week marking National Inclusion Week, we are taking the opportunity to reflect on the importance of inclusivity and diversity for Rowcroft. We believe that everyone has the right to high quality care and support at the end of life, no matter who they are, where they are or why they are ill. And we want to create an inclusive working culture that nurtures growth, values diversity and prioritises wellbeing so everyone who works with us as an employee or volunteer can thrive.
Here’s a glimpse into how we are working to support and embrace our diverse community.
Embracing diversity
Equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) play a pivotal role in supporting our inclusive vision. They are the guiding principles that infuse depth and authenticity into our commitment to providing equitable access to specialised palliative care for all members of our community.
Our priorities for inclusive care
At Rowcroft, we believe that high quality end-of-life care should be available to all, and that at Rowcroft every individual, regardless of their background, can find comprehensive and personalised support. It is our vision to provide ‘impeccable specialist palliative care for everyone in our community’.
Supporting our diverse community means continually learning and adapting to meet the unique needs of those we serve. We have established a set of inclusive care priorities that focus on areas where we believe we can make the greatest impact. Our priorities for inclusive care are focused on:
- People with conditions other than cancer
- Frailty and dementia
- Racialised communities
- LGBTQ+
- People with a learning disability
- Prisoners
- People who are homeless
Some of the work we are doing to progress in these areas includes:
- MND care: Rowcroft Hospice provides specialist care and support to people with MND and their families. This includes symptom management, medication support, emotional support, and practical help. We also host a face-to-face support group run by the MND Association.
- Investing in specialist equipment in our Inpatient Unit (IPU) to support those with frailty and dementia.
- Multi-faith resources available in our IPU and for patients/families in their own homes.
- LGBTQ+ Inpatient Unit Resource Folder: This resource folder contains information on a variety of topics relevant to LGBTQ+ patients, such as gender identity, sexual orientation, and end-of-life care. The folder is available for all employees, volunteers and patients in the IPU.
- Learning for all employees through training on disabilities and autism. This includes e-learning, and face-to-face training led by an expert by experience.
- We have established a service level agreement between Channings Wood Prison and Rowcroft Hospice for end-of-life care provision. This includes access to palliative care but remaining in custody requirements including after death.
- Working in partnership with other local charities, Rowcroft is working to improve access to end-of-life and palliative care for homeless and vulnerably housed people across South Devon. This project is funded by the Masonic Charitable Foundation.
An inclusive workplace
We are working together to create a diverse workplace where everybody is respected, treated fairly and with dignity, and where individuals can bring their unique selves to their work. It’s this inclusivity that enables our team members to thrive and deliver the expert, specialist care that we’re known for.
Examples of our inclusivity for our employees and volunteers include:
- Fair recruitment practices – anonymised applications and training for all recruitment chairs and managers on effective fair recruitment
- Flexible working practices and individualised adjustments to working arrangements – making it easier for a diverse range of people to work with us
- Pulse Surveys to understand how our people are and what they need to remain engaged and supported
- EDI working group and training to be rolled out later this year.