NHS Dumfries and Galloway is celebrating its status as the first organisation in Scotland to achieve not one but three prestigious GOLD Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Charter Mark Award thanks to the efforts of the Specialist Drug and Alcohol Service. Other NHS Dumfries and Galloway services include the Sexual Health Team in May 2016 and the Public Health team in 2013.
The award was presented to the team on Wednesday 21st March by Kerry Riddell, LGBT Youth Scotland’s Partnership Manager.
The Specialist Drugs and Alcohol service received recognition of best practice in a range of areas, including their work to build links with LGBT partner organisations and the transgender community and innovative resources for men who have sex with men.
The LGBT Charter is a positive step towards challenging discrimination while promoting a more inclusive society. 11 organisations have been awarded the Charter Mark in Dumfries and Galloway with five other organisations in the region close to achieving the award.
Those organisations who have gone through the charter journey describe it as a very positive experience resulting in a ‘big change in peoples’ attitudes’ with staff much more comfortable to discuss LGBT issues and identities, challenge inappropriate behaviour and feel more confident to work with LGBT people.
Achieving the Charter Mark has also been shown to result in impact for wider equality with organisations reflecting that the breadth of the Charter Journey leads to a much more united voice and consistent practice around all aspects of equalities work.
Kerry Riddell, Partnerships Manager South for LGBT Youth Scotland, said,
“This is a fantastic achievement. The Specialist Drugs and Alcohol service has demonstrated to staff, service users and external stakeholders that they take LGBT equality seriously. Their work to promote their Charter Journey has been exemplary and we look forward to continued partnership working to promote LGBT equality.”
Justin Murray, Service Manager for NHS Specialist Drug and Alcohol Service, said,
“As with all things worthwhile this was a testing piece of work which the staff group approached with a positive attitude and dedication. The charter mark process supported the Service to reflect and respect the issues people who identify themselves as LGBT, face when accessing Services. I am convinced this group of Service Users will now be better served as an outcome of achieving the LGBT Gold Charter Mark.”
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NHS Specialist Drug and Alcohol Service received recognition of best practice in a range of areas, including training delivery, building links with LGBT partner organisations, work to develop and improve services for men who have sex with men and their ongoing work around transgender inclusion.
Inspired by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the LGBT Charter describes fundamental rights, such as the right to be yourself, the right to privacy, be kept safe from harm and the right to an education.
Created by a group of LGBT Young People and wider stakeholders, the LGBT Charter is a positive step towards challenging discrimination while promoting a more inclusive society. To find out more about the LGBT Charter Mark please visit www.lgbtyouth.org.uk
