International Women’s Day: embracing equity at the National Emergencies Trust

We’re celebrating all the incredible women (and men) working and volunteering at the National Emergencies Trust. Today marks International Women’s Day, a day of celebrating the achievements of women, and recognising that equity, diversity and inclusion belongs to everyone.

This year’s theme is all about ‘Embracing Equity’, which is different to equality. Equality is giving a group or person the same opportunity, whereas equity is recognising that those groups or individuals will have different circumstances, and will therefore have different needs to reach the same outcome.

Our vision is a world where those affected by UK emergencies, receive the support they need, as soon as they need it. Our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion will help us to make this vision a reality.

We asked the Team and Trustees: ‘What does embracing equity mean to you, as part of your role at the Trust?’ This is what they had to say:

Elizabeth Balgobin, Trustee, said: "As a Trustee, Deputy Chair of the Trust's Equity Scrutiny Group and member of the Allocations Committee embracing equity means remembering that these positions have, and are perceived to have, power and privilege. I am motivated to use that position to challenge us and our external partners to create fairer outcomes for future emergency survivors, and to influence change in the sector."

Jhumar Johnson, Trustee, said: “I was attracted to the National Emergencies Trust’s Trustee role because of the commitment shown to equity by everyone I met. Having now been a Trustee for two years, I know that commitment to be true through all levels and activities the Trust, its team and the Board are involved with, from our allocations, and communications to our recruitment and talent development. Irrespective of gender or role, each one of us has a responsibility to ensure we work towards gender equality and equity and I am committed to playing my part here at the Trust. There is always work to be done and vigilance to be a top priority in ensuring we stay true to survivors, our values, our role in the sector and society.”

Ben Sefton, Managing Director of Founding Patron, Alcimi, said: “I believe that embracing equity means ensuring that everyone has access to the same opportunities, regardless of their background or circumstances. Within our role at the Trust, it means using digital tools and technology to create a level playing field and ensure that everyone can benefit from the services and resources offered by the charity.

We are committed to creating inclusive digital solutions that enable everyone to participate fully in the digital world, and we work closely with the Trust to ensure that their digital offerings are accessible and user-friendly for all. We believe that by embracing equity, we can create a more just and equitable society, and we are proud to support the Trust in this mission.”

Philee Ang-Chen, Grants Manager, said: “I believe embracing equity is about ensuring the lived experience of survivors is at the heart of what we do. Through engaging with our Survivors Advisory Forum and Equity Scrutiny Group, engaging with the wider charity sector and cultivating an organisational culture that is open to learning and unlearning, we can ensure that in the event of a domestic emergency no-one is left behind.”

Mhairi Sharp, National Emergencies Trust CEO, said: “Embracing equity isn’t just a tick box exercise. It’s a fundamental building block for a healthy, happy and effective organisation that listens to its volunteers, people, and crucially, amplifies the voices of all survivors. A live example is the Bee The Difference research project, that seeks to recognise and understand the different experiences and complex needs of young terror survivors, to improve future outcomes.”

Amy Bird, Fundraising Manager, said: “Integrating diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging into our fundraising practices and decision making, will mean that we can unlock access to potential leaders and donors who might not otherwise become involved or contribute to the work of the Trust. This can only be achieved through open communication, the use of culturally-informed language and messaging, and deliberate action across our polices, donor onboarding and retention strategies.”

Helen Killingley, Operations Director, said: “For me, it's about equity, but also diversity and inclusion to ensure that what we do means our funds are distributed equitably, and our people are supported fairly.”