Duncan Claber

Said the following about Inclusion and Diversity Team South Western Railway:

“South Western Railway (SWR) is committed to creating a more diverse, inclusive organisation, harnessing our colleagues' full potential, whilst also attracting and retaining the best talent.

The inclusion and diversity team play a vitally important role in setting the direction of our equality and diversity work, including by setting up, managing and supporting our various networks for people who define into under-represented groups.

Our networks are a real source of strength for SWR. They are run by and for under-represented groups, with support from the Executive. This means that they have the space but also the support they need to create positive change in ways that really matter for their communities.

SWR wants to establish a sense of inclusion, allowing everyone to be their whole self. For lasting change, everyone must understand their part. When our people feel positive, this reaches who we’re here for – our customers.

The work undertaken by our team so far has also been recognised officially with SWR securing Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard. SWR were praised for their ‘solid submission evidencing some great examples of sound D&I foundations, from which it is also clear how you have and are evolving and growing in confidence in respect of your ED&I journey’.

Through the continued development of networks, we’re addressing and solving problems for under-represented groups/individuals. An opportunity to celebrate our great wealth of diversity, networks have vast potential to shape cultures and behaviours. These are our networks:

• INSPIRE: Gender Equality.

• REACH: Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage.

• PRIDE: LGBTQ+.

• ABLE: Disabilities (visible and invisible).

• MIND: Mental Health.

• Women’s Driver Network.

All networks meet in a confidential space, and all have an Executive Team member sponsor, as a listening ear, champion, and to raise profiles and they’re already shaping how things are done.

Our INSPIRE network continues to support initiatives around gender equality. We have trained up further menopause advocates and now have 35 advocates including 2 men. The network has also assisted with new guidance on domestic abuse and baby loss.

Our Women’s Driver network has introduced feminine hygiene boxes in all depots and we also now have 7 Women’s Driver Advocates whose role is to support and signpost other women.

Our Pride network has assisted in the development of new guidance titled “Supporting our Trans and Non-Binary colleagues in the workplace” and also helped design and launch our new pride train which included the new inter-sex inclusive progress flag design. This train was launched in March by our Executive Team, Pride network and flag designer, Valentino Vecchietti.

Our ABLE network recognised a number of carers within the organisation. They were nominated by their managers or colleagues for the support given to family members and received a certificate and a gift voucher.

The work these groups have done and the things they have been able to achieve is a testament to the dedication and passion of all SWR colleagues and in particular the inclusion and diversity team for the support they have given the networks in planning and delivering these initiatives.“