Staff Network Groups

As part of the council's commitment to improve employee engagement and feedback from staff we have established a range of staff groups that give staff a voice to:

• consider and challenge new ideas and initiatives
• promote equality and fairness throughout the organisation
• discuss topics that are important to you

The groups represent the diverse nature of our workforce and give staff the opportunity to have their say on issues affecting them.

Feedback from the groups has helped us to shape and design new approaches and review existing procedures to ensure that they meet the needs of our workforce.

We have the following focus groups established:

• Millennials (age 22 to 36)
• Managers
• Employees

And the following staff networks:

• Race Equality Network 
• Rainbow Alliance 
• Shine
• Menopause Network 
• Carers Network 

Here are some examples of the great work that has been achieved from the groups so far:

Race Equality Staff Network 

The group have developed their own Terms of Reference:

"The BAME Staff Network exists to create an enabling and fair working environment and policy framework for BAME colleagues while also encouraging all staff within the council to understand the needs of BAME individuals within the community."

Rainbow Alliance

This group have helped to develop a new Trans Inclusion policy for staff as well as Trans Awareness e-learning which can be found on the My Learning Pages. These aim to enhance awareness and understanding of trans identities and the challenges that trans people can face.

Email: RainbowAlliance@cumberland.gov.uk 

Shine Community 

Did you know about the Council's Neurodiversity guidance? A member of the group, explains why it's important that the council has this guidance.

"Neurodiversity is a relatively new term that many people may not know much about yet. It's important to have guidance in place which helps staff to understand more about it, and how to support neurodiverse people on a day to day basis. It is also important because the more people become aware of neurodiversity and then go on to understand it, then the easier it becomes to take steps to better support neurodiverse colleagues in the workplace as well as service users in the wider community"

Email: Shine@cumbria.gov.uk 

The group sessions are held either in person or on Microsoft Teams.

We are always looking for people who are open to new ideas, willing to explore practical solutions and who identify with or have an interest in the above groups.

Get involved

To learn more, or if you would like to get involved, please contact StaffFocusGroups@cumbria.gov.uk  or use the individual group emails.