Think differently about EDI at Equal Futures networking event

Stockport businesses, recruiters and HR professionals are invited to join the conversation around supporting equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the borough at the next Equal Futures networking event.

Taking place at Stockport College from 9am on Wednesday 19th March, this month’s theme is “Challenging Perspectives & Thinking Differently about EDI”.

The session will focus on how the rhetoric around diversity and inclusion is changing and how to encourage colleagues to see things from a different viewpoint. The event takes place alongside Neurodiversity Celebration Week which aims to address stereotypes and misconceptions about neurodevelopmental disorders and learning disabilities.

The month’s meeting will take place at Stockport College in their new ‘360-degree Cave’ technology suite where attendees will have the opportunity to step into an immersive VR experience to showcase an everyday office encounter through the perspective of those with autism/ASD. To take advantage of this, the timing of the event has changed slightly and to accommodate speakers who include:

• Carol Thistlethwaite, Inclusion Manager at Stockport College talking about a different approach to embracing diversity and inclusivity in the education sector, the changing demography of their young and adult learners in Stockport and future implications for our local workforce and talent pools;
• Helen Boden, Director at DANDIS discussing employer perceptions of neurodiversity, how this manifests in the workplace, how to recognise it, and the challenges around disclosure and best practice;
• Independent Consultant Emma Sails, who will be sharing her own experience of neurodivergence, the challenges she faced and how she overcame this, as well as the coaching she now provides to other adults; and
• Leah Coyle, Strategic Growth Manager at Pure Innovations introducing the work that they have been delivering across Greater Manchester supporting employers with workforce diversification and outlining the support available to organisations in attracting and retaining inclusive teams.

For a full agenda of the morning’s proceedings and to book your place to attend, visit the Equal Futures Eventbrite page.