Case Study: Promise

Case Study: Promise, Deputy Manager

I’ve been working with Certitude for four years now.

In my previous role as a Community Support Worker within adult social care, I was trained as a customer services champion in the local authority. It was my aspiration to get into a management role, after finishing training in Business Management, and I thought my skills would come in handy in helping me to manage people. I also believed that I could make a difference.

I spent time reading about Certitude and I could see we were passionate about personalised support in our approach, with good intentions embedded in our values and behaviours framework.

I joined our Intercultural Network (ICN) Group and found that the discussions we were having in that space were valuable. We agreed that we needed to have more diversity and inclusion action in the organisation; a more practical approach would make a difference in the quality of life to the people we support, colleagues and the organisation long-term.

Since the new Certitude Diversity and Inclusion Business Partner came on board over a year ago, we’ve begun to experience real practical changes. Having a senior leader as a sponsor of the ICN also meant that any contributions are taken seriously and listened to by the leadership team. For me, that is really important, as it meant we feel valued and listened to by the organisation.

I think our approach to diversity and inclusion builds understanding in our teams and allows people we support, their families and our colleagues to feel more included in how we design and deliver our support. Everything becomes more personalised for people. It’s a win-win situation for everybody.

Having our diversity networks says a lot about our willingness to embrace and include people. It’s a strong signal from the organisation about what is being prioritised by the Leadership Team and the Board. For me that is very encouraging.

You see it in the Moving Up programme that’s designed for Black, Asian and minority ethnic colleagues who want to progress in their careers. Certitude supported me and others to go on the programme. It has really helped people who were previously shy and didn’t believe in themselves, to gain new skills and be more proactive and engaged in what goes on.

“It challenged me to take personal responsibility for my learning and development.”

As a core member of our Intercultural Network and a member of our AccessAbility Network, I find these spaces allow for conversations that really help me. Being able to pop into network meetings and talk to other people and realise that some of the things going on in my life, other people are experiencing too. I’m not the only one. That really helps me to learn from others and use those tips in managing my personal life.

Just today I was reading an article on our intranet about the Jewish faith – something I’m not familiar with. And recently a colleague shared their experience of celebrating their South Asian culture.

We also had a campaign called #MyNameIs about how to say people’s names correctly, which was hugely beneficial to many of us. I don’t know if other organisations are doing it, but Certitude is showing a real commitment in celebrating and understanding that there is strength in our diversities which must be harnessed.

For me, the best part of this job is when I find those special moments with the people I support. I recently supported a young man called Bashir to go to the Notting Hill Carnival. The joy on his face, to see him so animated. He was getting really involved and cheering, blowing his whistle and dancing to the music. That makes my day.

These are the things that make this job meaningful for me. The event venue was not far from his house, but without my support he wouldn’t have been able to join in.