Event will champion disability inclusivity in the workplace

Three Rivers District Council is hosting the Disability Confident: Embracing Diversity in the Workplace event in September with the aim of promoting more inclusive workplace environments.

The free event will take place at the iconic Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter and will feature presentations from industry experts as well as an opportunity for questions.

The collaboration with the Watford Chamber of Commerce, Department for Work & Pensions (DWP), Step 2 Skills, Three Rivers Chamber of Commerce, and Warner Bros. ensures that the event will be one lead by experience. This group of partners is inviting employers from all sectors to take part as the event is tailored to benefit a broad audience.

Rebecca Young, Head of Strategy and Partnerships, said: “The Disability Confident Employer scheme provided by the Department for Work & Pensions provides invaluable support to organisations looking to ensure disability inclusion in their working environments. At this event you will hear from those organisations that have already benefitted from the scheme, and information to empower employers at different stages of the scheme with an enhanced understanding of attracting and retaining talent with diverse abilities.”

Speakers include Keely Siddiqui-Charlick, CEO of Sunnyside Rural Trust; Georgina De-Allie, Employer Liaison Officer from Step 2 Skills, Katharine Weston, Chair of Mission EmployAble, and Helen Welby, Disability Employment Adviser Leader at the Department for Work and Pensions. The onstage host for the day will be Lee Keogh, Systems Coordinator & Volunteering Champion at Watford and Three Rivers Trust.

Shivani Davé, Partnerships Manager, spoke about the value of the event and the positive impact the initiative can have for staff with disabilities. She said, “As someone with a long-term health condition, without the ongoing support from my managers, I would not have achieved what I have in my career. Their belief in my ability regardless of my health alongside their support through flare ups means that I’m committed to going above and beyond in my role serving our community.”

The event has been designed to inspire attendees, providing invaluable insights into the myriad benefits of becoming disability confident and the transformative impact it can have on businesses and their teams.

Date and Time: 24 September, doors opening at 9:30am for a prompt 10am start, concluding at midday.

Location: “Meet under the dragon”, Warner Bros Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter.

Register now. 

PHOTO CAPTION:  Lee Keogh, Systems Coordinator & Volunteering Champion at Watford and Three Rivers Trust, who will be the host for the day.

Read more: In this recent interview the council’s Director of Finance talks about her experiences of disability and work.