Seeking ‘Fairness for all’
Members from across the UK came together for the inaugural Equity Champions Network in-person event at Prescot Street earlier this month to consider their shared challenge of embedding equity across College activity and helping deliver the College’s 'Fairness for all' strategy.
Led by Joint Presidential Leads Dr Amrit Sachar and Dr Raj Mohan (Equity and Equality) and Dr Philippa Greenfield and Dr Cath Durkin (Women’s Mental Health), with a representative from almost every Devolved Nation, Division and Faculty, it was an opportunity to share, connect and learn from each other while enhancing skills in leadership and influencing to empower champions in their roles.
The College’s Chief Executive Sonia Walter set the tone during her welcome address where she talked of her own journey and commitment to leading from a sense of service instead of status, the importance of showing up and lifting others as we climb; creating environments for others to thrive; fairness for all in challenging systems and mindsets and encouraging people to lead in their own voice to create a better College and outcomes for all.
In the workshop that followed, led by Dr Jo O’Reilly and Dr Ananta Dave, the network considered their own journeys and how to turn intersectional disadvantages into strengths. The day concluded with sessions on sharing equity initiatives and considering priorities for 2026, looking at opportunities across key platforms such as Congress and also within Faculty and Division work.
Equity Champions input to a range of College work including the Women’s Mental Health strategy, Act Against Racism and Delivering for Disability campaigns, Neurodiversity and other working groups, speaking and training opportunities to challenge inequity, improve retention and workplace experience.
If you would like to know more about this important work, please visit our EDI page or contact ruth.adams@rcpsych.ac.uk.