Unashamedly You — The Importance of Pride Month at Southern Health

This June we have been celebrating the individuals that make up our wonderful workforce and thinking about why we have Pride Month. As a Trust, we value and respect our people and strive for progression, inclusivity, and acceptance for all our staff, carers, patients, and the wider community.

Pride to me is about celebrating and supporting the LGBTQIA + community. In my position as Chief People Officer, it is my job to create a space where we can bring our whole selves to work and feel like we belong. I am so lucky to have already met a variety of staff who bring fresh and unique ideas to help support their patients and colleagues to be their authentic selves. However, I know there are still some barriers to overcome.

I wear my rainbow lanyard with Pride because for me it is about showing support and raising awareness of our diverse people. You will often hear me saying that it took me a long time to discover who I am and so for me Pride is about being, ‘Unashamedly You’.

Through your voice I learn and understand; from seeing you I am enriched.

Through our differences, we will create diversity and generate innovation to bring fresh thinking, because together we belong.

Dr Satnam Sagoo, Chief People Officer