Kent Inclusion Week 2024

From October 21-25, we hosted Kent Inclusion Week, a dedicated time to reinforce our commitment to fostering a truly inclusive, welcoming environment for all. Through a series of dynamic webinars, workshops, and conversations, we encouraged everyone at Kent to explore the importance of belonging, reflect on unconscious biases, and deepen our understanding of allyship and corporate citizenship.

This year, our sessions took an expansive approach, covering topics such as:

• Happiness at Work: Led by Angelica Tenjo, our People & Culture Manager, this session encouraged us to view happiness as both the journey and the destination in our daily work. By exploring ways to create a positive, fulfilling environment, Angelica shared insights into how a sense of belonging boosts creativity, productivity, and genuine joy, making our workplace a source of inspiration and growth for everyone.

• The Kent Citizen Story: Karen Blanc and Lia Believa from our People Development team introduced the Kent Citizen Guide—a new resource that embodies our values of inclusion, growth, and collaboration. This launch emphasized how our actions directly shape the Kent experience, encouraging each person to be a part of our vision for a more supportive and impactful workplace.

• Mitigating Unconscious Bias: Facilitated by Inclusive Employers, this session explored the often-unseen biases that can impact decision-making, teamwork, and daily interactions. It offered practical strategies to recognise, challenge, and address biases to promote conscious inclusion in every part of our work. By understanding the effects of bias on performance and fairness, we equipped ourselves with tools to make more inclusive, mindful decisions.

• Well-being and Stress Management: Partnering with ComPsych, we merged our quarterly wellbeing focus with Kent Inclusion Week to spotlight techniques for managing stress and enhancing mental well-being. This unique session combined guided relaxation practices with tips on integrating stress management into our daily routines, helping us bring our full selves to work each day.

• Authentic Allyship & Navigating Political Difference: In collaboration with the Employers Network for Equality & Inclusion (ENEI), this workshop invites participants to explore what it means to be a true ally. Participants worked on strategies for supporting colleagues across different backgrounds and perspectives, gaining skills to navigate value-based differences confidently and respectfully. Together, they helped lay the foundation for a Kent toolkit to foster ongoing, authentic allyship across the organisation.

By connecting, learning, and collaborating, we’re shaping a workplace where inclusion is second nature and where everyone can thrive as their authentic selves. Kent Inclusion Week is just one way we’re advancing our commitment to inclusion and belonging, and the journey continues every day as we work together to create a more supportive and diverse Kent community.

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