Celebrating and learning from race equality journeys across our ICS – Black History Month 2025

Colleagues from across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care System (ICS) came together on Wednesday 29 October 2025 in Stafford for a special celebration event, recognising progress and learning from race equality programmes and inclusion journeys. Attendees were invited to wear red in support of Show Racism the Red Card, joining the National Wear Red Day campaign under the theme ‘Change Hearts, Change Minds, Change Lives’. The event was held during Black History Month 2025.

The event, opened by Jackie Small, Joint Chair of University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) and Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT), set the tone for a day of reflection, inspiration, and action. Pauline Grant, Associate Director of Organisational Development, Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICS and North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust (NSCHT) and Baz Kaur, Associate Director of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging, MPFT, provided both the national and local context, highlighting how collective efforts are shaping a fairer and more inclusive system.

Baz Kaur said: “It’s incredibly inspiring to see so many colleagues from across the ICS come together with such energy and commitment to creating a fairer, more inclusive system. Today was a celebration of the progress we’ve made, but also a reminder that we still have much to do.  By sharing our experiences and learning from one another, we can continue to drive meaningful change across every part of our organisation and ICS.”

A highlight of the morning was an ‘Inspiring Hope’ session, led by Jacynth Ivey (Managing Director, Inspiring Hope) and Abdul Choudhry (Associate, Inspiring Hope), celebrating the achievements of our Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES) Champions and Reciprocal Mentoring Programmes. Colleagues from across the Reciprocal Mentoring, WRES Champions, and WRES Sponsors programmes also shared their personal experiences and lessons, showing the real impact of these initiatives on both individuals and the wider ICS.

Lesley Faux, Inclusion and Belonging Senior Programme Lead, Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care System, added: “Bringing this event together has been such a rewarding experience. Seeing colleagues engage so openly, share personal journeys, and explore how we can strengthen inclusion across our ICS really highlighted the difference we can make when we collaborate. It’s a proud moment to witness the passion and dedication in our teams, and it reinforces why these conversations and actions are so important.”

Interactive workshops encouraged teams to reflect and explore how these programmes can continue to grow and strengthen inclusion across all areas. Dr Buki Adeyemo, Chief Executive, NSCHT, chaired the afternoon sessions, showcasing progress made so far including the ICS Talent Management Strategy, MPFT Anti-Racist Framework, Anti-Racist Toolkit and Education Programme, and the Staffordshire University Race Equity Manifesto. Buki later closed the event, calling for all working and leading in health and care to challenge ourselves to practice ‘radical kindness’ where it comes to ensuring greater race inclusion and equity, and to commit as individuals and as teams and organisations to becoming truly anti-racist in our practice.

Participants also took part in table discussions to shape the future ICS Race Equity Manifesto and define shared race inclusion priorities. A panel discussion, “Race Forward: Where do we go from here?”, chaired by Pauline Grant, invited open reflections and commitments to ongoing change.

The event concluded with a presentation of certificates led by Richard Morris, Director of Corporate Affairs and Communications, MPFT, Mish Irvine, Chief People Officer, Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Integrated Care Board, Dr Buki Adeyemo and Jacynth Ivey. This celebration was not just a reflection on progress, but a powerful reminder that together we are stronger in building an anti-racist and equitable health and care system for Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.