Primary Eyecare Services Supports Race Equality Week
3 February 2023
Primary Eyecare Services is proud to be participating in Race Equality Week, which takes place next week between 6 and 12 February 2023.
Race Equality Week will unite thousands of organisations in action to address race inequality in the workplace.
A UK-wide initiative, Race Equality Week was launched by community interest company Race Equality Matters to turn words into meaningful action; a movement spurred on by the events of 2020, which have heightened the country’s collective consciousness of the racism, inequality, and injustice experienced by ethnically diverse communities.
Over 3,500 organisations were engaged in Race Equality Week last year.
Rupesh Bagdai, Equality and Diversity Lead for Primary Eyecare said:
“You may notice a difference in our virtual backgrounds and signatures over the week, these are to celebrate equality and diversity. We will also be asking all our staff to complete a 5-minute exercise every day to increase awareness. We are sharing these with practices and clinicians so please join us.”
Primary Eyecare Services is asking our customers, employees, partners, and networks to join us and thousands of other organisations by participating in Race Equality Week and taking meaningful action towards tackling the barriers to race equality.
This year’s theme, #ItsEveryonesBusiness, was selected by the Race Equality Matters Community. 79% of respondents believed this theme would have a meaningful impact in tackling race inequality.
#ItsEveryonesBusiness reflects ongoing findings and feedback. Recent surveys within the community revealed that 63% of respondents think there has been little or no change in tackling race inequality in the last 12 months; just 38% of respondents said their organisations focus on action, not words; only 26% said their senior leaders are playing a key part and only 38% said allies are playing a key part.
The drive to achieve race equality must come from everyone! If not, it can be a lonely battle.
If we can involve the majority, if not everyone, in organisations across the UK, we will see a much-needed shift, in beliefs, cultures, behaviours, and positive outcomes for race equality.
That is why the 2023 Race Equality Week theme is #ItsEveryonesBusiness #ActionDrivesChange.
The 5 activities for the week can be found below:
Day 1 – The Eye-Openers Time for Reflection
Day 3 – Do You Pronounce Everyone’s Name Correctly?
Day 4 – You May Not Be Racist but Are You Anti-Racist?
Day 5 – Will You Join Millions of Others Today to Turn Words and Thoughts Into Action?