Companies across the North East and beyond wanting to increase their awareness and understanding of the LGBTQIA+ community can now sign up for a special training programme.
Northern Pride has joined forces with award-winning cultural charity Curious Arts, to develop a scheme for both individuals and organisations, which centres around equality, diversity and inclusion.
The aim is for companies which are “actively looking to create safe and welcoming working and customer environments” for LGBTQIA+ people to sign up and be given all the information they need to achieve that aim.
The Proud Allies Training has been developed so it can be delivered both in person and online and will cover topics such as correct language and definitions, history of both Pride and the LGBTQIA+ community, the law and discrimination and working with allies.
It will also look at specific areas including people of faith, children and young people and supporting LGBTQIA+ people in the workplace as well as trans and non binary inclusion policies.
Ste Dunn, director of Northern Pride said feedback from those who had participated in the course so far had been very positive.
“We have worked with Curious Arts to create a programme which is suitable for everyone, regardless of the size of a business and the number of employees,” he said.
“It’s been particularly well received by companies which have a public facing role and for both HR and management teams.
“It is also flexible enough so that we can address any particular areas that organisations would want including and that is particular relevant for them.
“We believe this is something that is vital for anyone want to increase their understanding of the LGBTQIA+ community and how to engage with them.”
Costs start from £900 plus VAT for 16 people but bespoke quotes can be created on application.