Current Students and Staff

Our Staff Support Groups play a really important role in helping to shape our work on inclusion.

The groups have been established to help our staff to support one another, to positively contribute to shaping the University environment and provide great insight, information and guidance.

These groups are integral to achieving our people priorities and support the development of a diverse, respectful and inclusive culture not only at the University, but through its links with the wider community too.

We encourage staff to get involved and to have their say in any of the groups listed below:

• Black Minority Ethnic (BME) – This group relaunched in November 2018 and works to raise awareness of race issues, provide a safe environment for black and ethnic minority staff to discuss racial and cultural discrimination, as well as increase the profile of black and ethnic minority cultures on campus.
• LGBT+ – Relaunched in May 2019 with a new website, fresh branding and dedicated social media networks, the group meets monthly and has been preparing for Stonewall membership, as well as actively celebrating Pride and arranging the rainbow laces campaign.
• International – A working group has been established to identify key issues from an international perspective and what support the group and others may wish to access. 
• Part-time workers – This is an informal support network for people who work flexibly or on a part-time basis or may be interested in doing so in the future.  
• Disability – This group intends to relaunch as the 'Inclusivity Group' on 10 October to coincide with World Mental Health Day. It will be for those who have, or are affected by, physical and neurodivergent differences. The remit will ensure that those with a neurodivergent profile such as ADHD, dyslexia and autism, and those with hidden disabilities such as Crohn's disease and colitis feel included, together with those affected - for example, parents of children - by these matters.  A strategy is being developed that will set the direction of the group for the next few years.
• Working Parents and Carers Group – This group is currently considering the way that it can develop further and is looking at a broader remit that may include all types of carers.
• Age – This group is a consultative forum that exists to promote fair practice in respect of issues relating to the age of staff and raise awareness of the benefits of an age-diverse workforce.
• Armed Forces – This group offers support to current and previous members of the armed forces, which Loughborough is delighted to be supporting.

The University is excited to announce that two further groups will be launched shortly:

• Women at Loughborough
• Menopause Group

More information about all of these voluntary groups can be found online. If you are interested in joining or contributing, please get in touch by emailing od@lboro.ac.uk.

In case you missed them, check out our other Inclusivity-themed articles on the internal news feed, including our training and development opportunities and initiatives you can undertake to be more inclusive.