Kent Inclusion Week 2025

From 15–19 September, we hosted Kent Inclusion Week 2025, a dedicated time to reinforce our commitment to creating an environment where everyone feels welcome, valued, and empowered to thrive. Through a week of engaging sessions, workshops, and conversations, we invited our people to reflect, connect, and take meaningful action to build a culture of belonging across Kent.

This year’s programme explored vital themes through a mix of learning and practical tools:

• Creating Inclusive Teams: Delivered by Inclusive Employers and supported by Damian O’Gara, this session focused on what it takes to lead inclusively so that every person feels they truly belong. Participants gained practical strategies and an Allies Toolkit to help build environments where all team members can thrive.
• Mentorship in Acceleration: Led by Lia Believa and supported by Danie de Kock, this workshop explored how intentional, accessible mentoring can unlock potential, challenge bias, and create fairer opportunities. Attendees were introduced to Kent’s new Mentoring Toolkit, designed to make mentorship impactful and sustainable.
• Cultural Intelligence: Building Bridges Across Cultures: Guided by T– and supported by Tush Doshi, this session explored the importance of cultural intelligence in today’s global workplace. Participants completed a self-assessment, developed cultural agility skills, and created action plans to embed inclusive practices into daily work.
• Psychological Safety at Work: Facilitated by Priscilla Coen and supported by John Gilley, this session highlighted insights from recent leader workshops on creating environments where people feel safe to speak up and share ideas. Practical steps were shared to help teams strengthen trust, openness, and collaboration.
• Inclusion at Kent: Progress, Challenges, Next Steps: To close the week, a special podcast WITH Karen Blanc hosted by Shadow Hub looked candidly at where Kent stands today on equity, inclusion, and belonging. The conversation highlighted progress made, challenges still to be addressed, and the opportunities ahead.

By listening, learning, and working together, we are continuing to build a workplace where inclusion is not just an aspiration but a lived experience. Kent Inclusion & Belonging Week is one step in our ongoing journey to ensure everyone has the opportunity to bring their authentic selves to work, every day.

Learn more about Inclusion & Belonging at Kent: https://bit.ly/4165eNH