To mark Freedom to Speak Up (FTSU) Month, we’re introducing you to some of our new FTSU Guardians and Champions.
Before this month we had four Guardians representing more than 3,000 people across multiple sites in the Midlands. Following a recruitment campaign, we now have eleven Guardians, supported by 22 Champions to make speaking up about a concern more accessible to everyone.
Gemma Payne-Wright is DHU’s Services and Pathways Manager and one of our new Guardians, here’s what she told us about the role and what it means to her…
“I’ve been through situations where I’ve not felt listened to and wasn’t sure where to go as my concern at the time was as a manager. It’s not a pleasant experience so having the FTSU programme here at DHU and having such a wide spread of Guardians and Champions to support it, was something I wanted to be a part of. It’s incredibly empowering and gives a person the voice that they felt they didn’t have.
“Having the power to affect positive change is what makes you feel valued and listened to. No matter what your role is and where you perform it, we need to make sure our people have access to that and be encouraged to use it.
“What we’re doing here at DHU, making more of our FTSU programme is a significant step towards creating a safe space for people to raise a concern, whether it’s about the services we provide or their work environment. The support is there, and our Champions will help to create a more visible presence and direct people to the right person for their needs.
“I’m pleased to be a part of this and to be there for anybody who feels they need help in making themselves heard, working with them to make the difference.”