Making change happen

Earlier this year, the LGBT+ & Friends steering group held a role models workshop in Birmingham mail centre.

Almost 30 of our out LGBT+ colleagues from across the business attended, including both frontline colleagues and senior managers.

The workshop was run by the charity action group, Stonewall, whose one-day LGBT+ role models programme gives individuals the opportunity to explore what it means to be a role model and identify what they can do to create an inclusive environment for everyone.

‘It was a very interesting day,’ said Lisa Henton-Mitchell, from sales. ‘I learned about the importance of being yourself at work and using the different pro-nouns. It was interesting to hear views and opinions from such a wide group of people within Royal Mail all of whom have different experiences, life stories and views as well as understanding that sometimes people just want to be listened to. I left feeling inspired!’

Delivery change lead – South East, Shelley Eade, said: ‘I feel that the Stonewall role model course has allowed me to be more open and out in the workplace in a way that has a positive effect on the way LGBT+ people are represented within Royal Mail.’

Get involved

The LGBT+ & Friends steering group was established in 2015 with the goal of creating an accessible network for LGBT+ colleagues and supporters to come together and share their experiences.

The group aims to help colleagues be themselves at work and establish Royal Mail as a true champion of LGBT+ colleagues and the wider LGBT+ community.

If you would like to become a role model, set up a local network or get involved in the steering group, you can email them at LGBT&Friends@royalmail.com, and let them know what you would like to do.

You can also subscribe to their newsletter and join their protected Facebook group, just email them with your pay number and the email address you use to sign into Facebook and they will send you an invite.