CSP student rep for the University of Essex, Ethan Pereira, reflects on the experience of attending the annual diversity network day in London last month.
‘The annual diversity network day afforded me the invaluable opportunity of networking with a wide array of physiotherapists from across the country, each belonging to one of the three diversity networks. In many cases, each attendee faced challenges in the workplace and at university, which gave me the unique opportunity to understand how they managed or overcame those challenges. This opportunity was significant to me, given that I often experienced similar challenges and welcomed any ideas that would help me have the most enjoyable and productive experience at university.
At the start of the day, rules were established to ensure everyone was respectful of each other's views, and quiet rooms were available if anyone needed to take a break.
What made the event enjoyable was how friendly, welcoming, and helpful the other attendees were. No question was considered "stupid," and attendees took a genuine interest in my experiences at university compared with their own. Many were surprised that I still experienced some of the same challenges as they experienced when they were at university.
Among the many friendly physiotherapists I met throughout the day, I had the pleasure of meeting Dr Melrose Stewart, one of the founding members of the BAME network. It was so insightful to hear about Dr Stewart's own experience as a BAME physiotherapist, qualifying in 1975 and continuing to the present day. I also met Greet Janssens, co-chair of the disability network. Her passion for disability rights was terrific to see and gave me comfort knowing that she and the network were there to support me if I ever experienced discrimination whilst on placements or at university.
Overall, the diversity networks day gave me a real insight into the work that the networks do, their leadership, and the pastoral support available from the networks in the event of discrimination. I would thoroughly recommend that student network members attend.’
Learn more about the CSP diversity networks and how you can best show allyship or request to join the BAME, DisAbility and LGBTQIA+ networks for free.
Find out more about the CSP student rep role
Number of subscribers: 1
Log in to comment and read comments that have been added