Antonia Katsambis (FCIPD)’s Post

This week is Neurodiversity Celebration Week. To coincide with this global event, the Healthcare Communications Association (HCA), fox&cat, and The ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Charity have joined forces to launch a new campaign to help welcome and celebrate neurodiversity for those working in healthcare communications. It is already estimated that there are 50% more neurodivergent practitioners working in creative sectors, like healthcare communications, than in the general population. The campaign THINKING DIFFERENT aims to help create healthier communications around neurodiversity so that the needs of neurodivergent people are understood and addressed by their employer and colleagues. The campaign unearths the many advantages of welcoming and involving neurodiverse individuals in our dynamic healthcare communications industry. In doing so, not only can we enhance creativity and innovation while also fostering inclusivity and empathy, but we can also deliver more effective and impactful communication strategies. The campaign has three core materials: • Thinking Different – a guide for employers and managers on welcoming and celebrating neurodiversity in the workplace • Neurodiversity & Me – a guide for those who think differently and would like more information because they’d like to start a conversation about neurodiversity. • Neurodiversity & You – information for whole teams to encourage them to find out more about working with, and having a conversation around, neurodiversity at work. You can download these resources, and use them to catalyse healthy discussion around neurodiversity within your organisation, via this link: https://bit.ly/3PqTXEh #ThinkingDifferent #TogetherForBetter

Did you miss it? Today, we launched a new campaign to help welcome and celebrate neurodiversity for those working in healthcare communications. THINKING DIFFERENT aims to create healthier communications so that the needs of neurodivergent people are understood and addressed by their employer and colleagues. The campaign has three core materials: ➡️ Thinking Different – a guide for employers and managers on welcoming and celebrating neurodiversity in the workplace ➡️ Neurodiversity & Me – a guide for those who think differently and would like more information because they’d like to start a conversation about neurodiversity. ➡️ Neurodiversity & You – information for whole teams to encourage them to find out more about working with, and having a conversation around, neurodiversity at work. You can download these resources, and use them to catalyse healthy discussion around neurodiversity within your organisation, via this link: https://bit.ly/3PqTXEh# Healthcare Communications Association (HCA) ADHD Foundation Neurodiversity Charity #ThinkingDifferent #TogetherForBetter

✨ It Starts with Your People! "As clinicians passionate about making an impact, begin by inspiring your colleagues and peers. A strong community is the foundation of change." 🛠️ In his book "Change: How to Make Big Things Happen," Damon Centola, a Professor of Communication, Sociology, and Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania, illustrates how behavior change requires deeper connections than information spread. In the past, tight-knit networks were crucial to driving change. Today, we rely heavily on social media for support, but nothing beats the power of personal relationships. 📱 Historically, house meetings were instrumental in community organizing, allowing close-knit groups to gather, discuss issues, and build momentum. For clinicians, this approach can be translated into: 🩺 Clinic Huddles: Set aside time before or after shifts to share important issues and mobilize action plans with your team. 🩺 Department Meetups: Host informal meetings where colleagues can share concerns, discuss best practices, and rally around shared goals. 🩺 Case Studies Discussions: Create small groups to analyze cases, identify systemic issues, and brainstorm solutions for community health challenges. By fostering these intimate gatherings, clinicians can cultivate trust and unity within their professional communities, leading to stronger movements and impactful change. 🏥✨ Revive the power of house meetings in today's healthcare world. Invite colleagues to join in discussions that can drive positive change in your practice and beyond. 🤝 To dive deeper into these insights, join our newsletter and become part of a community that's reigniting this powerful tradition. 🌱 To learn more about our advocacy programs and how we contribute to this cause, subscribe to our newsletter https://lnkd.in/d-a9BfRc #healthcare #change #community #activism

We know the end-of-year energy is fading fast….but before you switch off, why not lock in a date to start 2025 with purpose? Let’s plan a meaningful conversation in January about taboo health topics, employee well-being, and inclusion. Some things we could help you with… ✨ Planning impactful initiatives for International Women’s Day or Endometriosis Awareness Month—because reproductive health should be part of the conversation. ✨ Introducing an affordable, engaging program to bridge gaps in health education and communication for your teams. ✨ Identifying practical steps to embed health education into your 2025 strategy—whether it’s workshops, webinars, or tailored support, we’ll ensure your initiatives deliver real impact. Drop me a message to get something in the diary. Let’s set the tone for a healthier, more inclusive workplace in 2025! 🌟

Continued learning is a journey we embark on every day! Piper Derenoncourt, Assistant Director of Mental Health Programs, recently attended the National Association of Social Workers Massachusetts Virtual Symposium 2024 and is grateful for the incredible opportunity to connect with fellow social workers and delve into a diverse array of topics shaping the field. A huge thank you to NASW-MA Chapter for curating such an inspiring and enlightening symposium! Here are some key takeaways: 1️⃣ NAVIGATING DIVIDES WITH CURIOSITY Monica Guzman, the keynote speaker, emphasized the transformative power of curiosity. She encouraged the audience to approach conversations with an open mind, employing simple yet profound tools like asking "what am I missing?" and using hedging language. These approaches foster understanding and trust, paving the way for more open dialogues that transcend divides and nurture empathy. 2️⃣ EMPOWERING EQUITY THROUGH PATIENT ENGAGEMENT Laura Dickman, MSW, LICSW, Program Leader, Patient and Family Engagement at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center shed light on the critical intersection of equity and patient engagement. She stressed the importance of creating accessible avenues for BIPOC individuals to participate in shaping and enhancing patient services and programs. Dickman highlighted compensation as a pivotal element in fostering diversity within patient and family engagement initiatives. By offering compensation, barriers are mitigated, and the invaluable lived experiences of individuals are acknowledged and valued, thereby amplifying voices that have traditionally been marginalized. 3️⃣ BUILDING SAFE HEALING SPACES Jen Wofford, LICSW, eloquently showcased how social workers are uniquely equipped to cultivate safe community healing spaces. Through guided activities that tap into our shared humanity, conflicting emotions can be navigated, and healing can be fostered. Providing individuals with tools and frameworks to share their experiences validates diverse perspectives and fosters mutual understanding. Here's to continued growth, collaboration, and making a positive impact in our communities! #NASW2024 #SocialWork #CommunityImpact

📛 More than just a Name: How Names Impact IMGs in the NHS As IMGs , we face many hurdles when starting our careers in the NHS—learning new systems, adapting to different cultures, and, unexpectedly, even our names can become a challenge. I’ve personally experienced this. My name is long and hard to pronounce in English, and during my clinical attachment, I found myself considering whether I should change it to an English name; something simpler and easier. Why? Because in the middle of fast-paced work environments, it can be frustrating when colleagues and patients struggle to get it right. And while patient care is the priority, constantly correcting someone on how to pronounce your name can be tiring! 😅 But this goes deeper than convenience—our names are part of our identity, culture, and personal history. Changing or shortening them shouldn’t be the solution to this issue. Instead, we need to improve understanding and inclusivity within the workplace, where diverse names and cultures are celebrated, not sidelined. I know many IMGs out there face this same challenge. It’s not just about mispronunciation; it’s about feeling like we need to adjust something so personal just to make things easier for others. The conversation needs to shift—let’s talk about how we can create more inclusive environments that embrace diversity in its truest form. 💬 Have you struggled with your name as an IMG? Did you ever think about changing it? Let’s start a conversation about how we can educate our workplaces and patients about the richness of diversity we bring to the NHS. 👇 #IMGJourney #CulturalDiversity #NHSChallenges #InclusivityInHealthcare #MyNameMyIdentity

As community “engagers”, it's crucial to regularly remind ourselves of why our engagement matters and to stay committed to best practices. Understanding the purpose behind our efforts and consistently applying effective strategies ensures that we build meaningful and impactful connections with the communities we serve. Why Community Engagement Matters in Clinical Trials: #Builds Trust: Establishes credibility and fosters confidence in the research process. #Enhances Recruitment: Improves participant recruitment and retention by addressing concerns and highlighting benefits. #Increases Inclusivity: Ensures diverse populations are represented, making results more applicable and generalizable. #Improves Outcomes: Engages participants in meaningful ways, leading to more accurate and relevant findings. Best Practices for Effective Engagement: #Communicate Clearly: Provide transparent, accessible information about the trial and its benefits. #Listen and Respond: Actively seek and address feedback from participants and the community. #Foster Relationships: Build strong connections through regular updates and personal interactions. #Educate and Involve: Offer educational resources and involve participants in discussions about the research process. #Respect and Empower: Show respect for participants' time and input, empowering them as active contributors to the research. Engaging with the community not only supports the success of clinical trials but also contributes to advancements in healthcare. Let’s prioritize community engagement to drive meaningful research outcomes! #ClinicalTrials #CommunityEngagement #ParticipantRecruitment #ResearchEthics #HealthcareInnovation #ClinicalResearch #ParticipantCentric #ResearchCommunity #TrialSuccess #InclusionInResearch

Friendly reminder - Neuroinclusion isn't about neurodivergent people. It's about including everyone. The reason it's important for neurodivergent people is because so much has been designed without their needs in mind - workplaces, healthcare systems, education environments and so much more. But what we're trying to do in creating a neuroinclusive world is to create one that works for all of us. -- Want to learn how to make neuroinclusion happen in your workplace? The Differing Minds NeuroNavigator® programme is for you. It's a programme for neurodiversity advocates to become impactful champions and lead neuroinclusion in a scalable, sustainable way. If you're in an EDI or HR team, or you run an ERG and you want to create change in your organisation but are overwhelmed and unsure of how to make it all happen, then this is for you. Throughout the programme we give you the knowledge, the tools, the templates, the community and the ongoing support that you need. Plus you’ll create your own plan for the year ahead. It’s all about reducing frustration and overwhelm, and increasing sustainable impact. - Doors are now open for our January cohort (UK only) - If you’re not in the UK, you can join our international waitlist (launching 2025) - For more information head here https://lnkd.in/eHPSPD_W - Or email us at neuronavigator@differingminds.co.uk - The programme is £1950 plus VAT if you register by 22nd November, or £2950 plus VAT otherwise Places are limited as we want a small group for maximum impact and community building. So don’t hesitate! Follow the next 3 steps and accelerate your neuroinclusion journey now! 1. Follow Jess Meredith 2. ♻️ Repost to your network 3. Register to become a NeuroNavigator® soon so you don’t lose your place! #Neurodiversity #Inclusion #NeurodiversityAtWork

Our latest article on empathy-driven workshops just dropped! It's been a hot topic around the PinPoint office this month, so we figured it was worth a share outside of our walls. Looking to better connect with your audience AND form some stronger bonds with your team - we got your back! #pinpointcollective #empathy #womeninbusiness #researchmatters https://lnkd.in/gUEquxk5