We are flying the rainbow flag, loud and proud

St Andrew’s values the importance that difference can bring to the workplace, and today (May 17) we are showing our support for the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT day), by raising a rainbow-coloured flag above our main building in Northampton, and making some noise!

The focus of this year’s IDAHOT day is Alliances for Solidarity, which is focusing on reinforcing bonds and reaching out to new partners to raise awareness of our commonalities.

A key message from Stonewall, the national campaigning and lobbying charity for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality, is that people perform better when they can be themselves. This message is very important to staff at St Andrew’s – in fact, the charity was earlier this year named as one of Britain’s most inclusive employers in the 2018 Stonewall Equality Index. 

To mark IDAHOT day there’s lots going on for our staff and patients to get involved in. We’re raising a rainbow-coloured flag above our Main Building in Northampton at 11am today to celebrate, and we’ll be making 1 minute of loud noise together, shouting loud and proud.  We’re serving rainbow cakes in our on-site eateries, and also encouraging everyone to show support for equality by wearing colourful clothing.

Dean Howells, Executive Director of Nursing and Operations, commented: “We would like to thank everyone in advance for their commitment to embedding equality for all gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender staff and patients. Here at St Andrew’s we encourage an open and inclusive environment where all colleagues support each other, and can be allies and role models for their personal causes and identities.”

To find out more about our culture, click here.