Support for Black Staff

The University will be offering a series of sessions for colleagues of African heritage, Caribbean heritage, or other Black backgrounds following recent events and wider media coverage over the summer. These include:

  • Listening Sessions (Group sessions or 1:1 sessions)
  • Reflective Sessions
  • Group Coaching and Mentoring Sessions 
  • 1:1 Coaching and Mentoring Sessions

These sessions will provide opportunities for colleagues of African heritage, Caribbean heritage, or other Black backgrounds to share their experiences, reflect with others, and access supportive spaces and connections with colleagues who may have had similar experiences.

These sessions will be facilitated by Onvero, an external and independent organisation, and will take place from 9 October onwards. Sessions will be offered at different times to accommodate colleagues who may be particularly busy at the start of the academic year.

Who are the sessions for?

The sessions are for staff who identify as being of African heritage, Caribbean heritage, or other Black backgrounds.

The sessions are open to colleagues from across the collegiate University. This includes University staff, TES staff, Honorary Visiting Fellows and College staff who are included on a University department list.

We recognise that the impact of events over the summer period may take many forms, including sorrow, anger, anxiety or other feelings. These sessions provide an opportunity for colleagues to reflect on their experiences in a supportive environment.

Listening Sessions for Black Staff

The Listening Sessions will provide an opportunity for colleagues to share their experiences and suggestions for improvement in a structured way.

Onvero will provide neutral and supportive facilitation. They will listen to feedback without judgement and without creating expectations about what the University may or may not be able to implement.

The sessions will be conducted under the Chatham House Rule. The aim is to create a safe and supportive space where people feel comfortable sharing their views openly and honestly. Confidentiality is therefore important, and participants are asked to respect the privacy of others.

This means that participants are free to use information shared during the session, but must not identify or reveal the affiliation of any participant or anyone else involved in the discussion.

Format

  • Each cohort will include up to 10 participants per session 
  • There will be 2 sessions per cohort
  • Each session will last 2 hours, allowing time for introductions, breaks and accessible participation
  • Sessions will be offered online.

What will happen with the feedback?

Onvero will produce a high-level themed report based on the Listening Sessions. The report will include recommendations to the University, to help inform lessons learnt, future activities and actions.

Reflective Sessions for Black Staff

The Reflective Sessions will provide a supportive space for colleagues of African heritage, Caribbean heritage, or other Black backgrounds who have been affected by recent events to come together, reflect and connect with others who may have had similar experiences.

Onvero will facilitate these sessions under absolute confidentiality. These are not information-gathering sessions and discussions will not be used to inform a report about University priorities. 

The sessions will provide an opportunity to establish wider informal connections and support networks among colleagues of African heritage, Caribbean heritage, or other Black backgrounds.

Format

  • 8 to 12 participants per session
  • Each session will last 1.5 hours
  • Sessions may be offered as one-off sessions, or the same group may meet for 2 or 3 sessions to help build trust and connection

Both face-to-face and online sessions will be offered. Face-to-face sessions can often provide the best opportunity to build connections and have informal conversations, while online sessions may be more suitable for some participants.

Group coaching and mentoring sessions

There will also be an opportunity for colleagues of African heritage, Caribbean heritage, or other Black backgrounds to take part in group coaching and mentoring sessions.

These will be run on a cohort basis and will provide an opportunity for colleagues to develop individual coaching and mentoring plans, share experiences and approaches that are working well for them, alongside building connections with colleagues.

Onvero will facilitate these sessions under the Chatham House Rule.

Format

  • Up to 6 participants per cohort
  • Each session will last 2 hours
  • There will be approximately 6 to 8 sessions in total

Both face-to-face and online sessions will be offered. Face-to-face sessions can often provide the best opportunity to build connections and have informal conversations, while online sessions may be more suitable for some participants.

1:1 Coaching and mentoring sessions

We are also looking at some options for 1:1 coaching and mentoring sessions. 

These will either be:

  • a personal one-off mentoring session for an hour
  • a programme of  coaching over a period of 3 - 6 months with 6 x 1-hour sessions for each individual. 
  • An extended one-off deep dive coaching session of 1.5 to 3 hours with breaks for with a questionnaire sent out in advance to help shape the session. 

The aim of the mentoring sessions would be to share knowledge, skills and lived experience to help you navigate a challenge by learning from someone with lived experience.

The coaching sessions are meant to create learning and self-development by helping you move from where you are now to where you want to be - with clarity, confidence, and support. 

Onvero will run these individual sessions under absolute confidentiality. 

How to take part

If you identify as being of African heritage, Caribbean heritage, or other Black backgrounds, you can register your interest in either an online or in-person session.

To register your interest or for further information, please email Yvonne Howard (yvonne.howard@onvero.org.uk) stating which session(s) you would like to join.

You can also use this email address if you require workplace adjustments to enable you to participate. You will then receive an email with further information on date allocated and location. 

We welcome colleagues to participate in whichever sessions they feel are most appropriate for them. Colleagues are welcome to take part in the Listening Sessions, Reflective Sessions, Group Coaching and Mentoring Sessions,1:1 Coaching and Mentoring Sessions, or a combination of these.