Inclusivity and acceptance are at the heart of our DHU values, creating an environment where everyone feels respected and celebrated for who they are.
We’re celebrating Pride Month and our commitment to and celebration of diversity was on full display during the recent Birmingham event, where our team came together to support the LGBTQ+ community and spread a message of inclusiveness.
Among the dedicated individuals representing DHU was Aiden Woodhall, an NHS 111 Health Advisor who joined us earlier this year so we thought we’d share it as a special What Do You Do At DHU piece. We had the privilege of speaking with Aiden about his experience at Pride Birmingham and how it has impacted him personally.
"I joined DHU at the start of March as a Health Advisor, so I'm relatively new. But even during that short space of time, I've felt such a level of acceptance," Aiden shared. "Working at Oldbury is completely different from anything I had done before. In fact, I used to work as a chef, which, as you can imagine, was incredibly stressful. Despite the steep learning curve of taking calls, I'm so glad I went for this role and I feel so different in myself since joining."
Aiden's enthusiasm for supporting the LGBTQ+ community led him to become involved in the Pride event, adding: "I was talking to Georgia, who was looking for people to attend the Pride event, and she was aware that I was keen to be a representative. I absolutely jumped at the chance and said I would love to support the team. The Birmingham event, especially, holds a special place in my heart as I have attended it many times in the past."
The vibrant atmosphere and perfect blue skies set the stage for an unforgettable day. Aiden reflected on the unique perspective of working at the event rather than just attending. "It was great being with all the other stalls and getting to chat with the communities inside different companies and learning more about their policies. Most importantly, it was nice to engage with the public and understand their circumstances.
“I’ve only really previously experienced workplaces where my sexuality was merely tolerated, instead of celebrated which is a significant part of being at DHU Healthcare. I knew from the start that I was going to be taken care of. It was so good to share that experience with other people on the day.
"People often say that the world is more accepting now, so why do we still need Pride? But the truth is, there are still trans people for example, whose lives are in danger every day and the queer community still faces extreme hardship and prejudice. There are so many struggles out there, which makes Pride just as important now as it ever has been, helping to create a safe space for people.
"On the day, it was so nice to be surrounded by a team where we could all be ourselves. Despite the intolerance the community faces, I am seeing positive change happening to people of all ages more and more in my lifetime and was so pleased to be involved with DHU."