Staff Diversity Networks

Our Networks are run by colleagues for colleagues, and supported by the central EDI team. Networks provide peer support, constitute platforms for raising awareness and vehicles for raising voices. Each network is represented on our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion governance structure, influencing the development of policies/processes. We now have six thriving networks:

• Black and global majority
• Disability and Mental Health
• LGBT+
• Parents and Carers
• Peri/Menopause
• RHUL Women’s Network (RoWaN), inclusive of cisgender/trans women and non-binary people who are comfortable in a woman-centred community

Peri/menopause awareness and support

We have established robust support for colleagues experiencing peri/menopause symptoms and for managers supporting colleagues in the workplace. This takes the form of a peer support network; a menopause hub with a wealth of guidance, resources and news alerts; workshops and seminars on a range of related themes (including mental health, HRT, diet and lifestyle); and manager awareness training.

Mental health and wellbeing

The University offers a range of opportunities to support the wellbeing of colleagues, including wellbeing guidance publications, and on-site massage and reflexologist therapists.

All colleagues have access to the Employee Wellbeing Programme: a confidential service available to colleagues and their immediate family members who are part of the same household. Services cover legal and tax advice, debt and financial management, family support/care, therapy/counselling and emotional support.

All colleagues and students can access to Togetherall, a safe and clinically managed online community to improve mental health and wellbeing available 24 hours a day. The service includes guides and advice for looking after our mental wellbeing - such as goal setters and journals - alongside being able to connect with a community, and get (or give) anonymous mental health support.

Supporting parents and carers

In 2023 we launched our Parents and Carers Network.  The network acts as space of support, awareness raising and advocacy. We have a returners’ sabbatical for colleagues returning from family leave with accompanying guidance for managers. We have strengthened guidance and support for shared parental and adoption leave and are working to increase feeding/expressing spaces across the University. We have developed new webpages to ensure colleagues have access to external news and developments regarding childcare support, flexible working and rights for parents and carers.

Multifaith Chaplaincy

Our Multifaith Chaplaincy supports our students and colleagues in building supportive communities of faith. Our chaplains are available to support individuals of any faith and none. A range of events are organised, including Interfaith Tea and Chats, Ecumenical services, Anglican services, Catholic services, Quaker meetings, Greek Orthodox services, Hindu Arti, and an annual Jewish Holocaust Memorial Service Holocaust Memorial Day Services amongst others. The University Ramadān On-Campus guide is revised each year and includes information on key dates, on-campus policy and provisions, general information about Ramadān and nutrition advice.

We have three places of worship on campus: our Chapel, our Muslim Prayer Room and our Dharmic Prayer Room. There are regular services of worship in the Chapel and the Muslim Prayer Room but they can also be used for quiet reflection and prayer. We also have a small Multifaith meeting room called “Breathe” which can be used by our faith groups.