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As most of you know the Hospital took part in another annual event in celebrating staff’s achievements through nominations of fellow colleagues. This includes the Equality and Diversity Award. We would like to thank you for all the nominations this year.

This issue:

Striving for Excellence Awards

Wiltshire and Swindon Pride

Diwali – 13th November

Black History Month Celebrations

Dates for the Diary

WHAT IS EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY?

Equality is about treating everyone as an individual with respect and consideration whilst being aware of the impact our words and actions can have on others and society. It is not about giving certain groups ‘special treatment’. Diversity is about celebrating the richness of society by ensuring we value and respect differences from people of all backgrounds and abilities.

Issue 5: November

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Wiltshire and Swindon Pride 2012

During the month of August; Pamela Permalloo-Bass (Equality and Diversity Manager), Lisa Brown (LGBT Champion and staff nurse on Dermatology) and Maggie Cherry (Head of Patient and Public Involvement) went to Pride to represent Salisbury Hospital’s support

of the event.

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Diwali is also popularly known as the "festival of lights," is a festival celebrated between mid-October and mid-December for different reasons. For Hindus, Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the year and is celebrated in families by performing traditional activities together in their homes.

Diwali commemorates the return of Lord Rama, along with Sita and Lakshmana, from his 14-year-long exile and vanquishing the demon-king Ravana. In joyous celebration of the return of their king, the people of Ayodhya, the Capital of Rama, illuminated the kingdom with earthen diyas and by bursting firecrackers.

The word Diwali means 'rows of lighted lamps'. Diwali is known as the 'festival of lights' because houses, shops and public places are decorated with small earthenware oil lamps called diyas.

The festival celebrates the victory of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance, although the actual legends that go with the festival are different in different parts of India:

In northern India and elsewhere, Diwali celebrates Rama's return from fourteen years of exile to Ayodhya after the defeat of Ravana and his subsequent coronation as king;

In Gujarat, the festival honours Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth; In Nepal Diwali commemorates the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon

king Narakaasura; In Bengal, it is associated with the goddess Kali.

People decorate their home with beautiful diyas and making rangoli pattern in the courtyard and in front of the gate. They put flowers and mango leaves on their doors and windows. Lights and candles are placed on rooftops, rooms, and kitchen and even in the bathrooms. On this day, people worship Lord Ganesha, the foremost of all Hindu Gods and Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity. It is time to exchange gifts and sweets with friends, relatives and neighbours.

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The BME (Black, Minority Ethnic) REACH staff group at Salisbury NHS Trust has been working closely with SCAR (Salisbury Coalition Against Racism) to run a number of events during Black History month in October. The work resulted in two very successful events involving a wide range of people from different cultures.

The first event took place on Friday 19th October at Salisbury Carnival. A hospital vehicle was used as a float in the procession. SCAR and REACH members dressed the vehicle with flags, lights and balloons to take part in the parade. A number of Gambian drummers played their drums from the back of the vehicle and we all handed out the balloons as we went through the procession. It was an enjoyable evening and supported by many local residents.

On Saturday 20th October REACH and SCAR hired Salisbury Guildhall for an event called "Communities Together". The Guildhall was decorated in flags and bunting to illustrate different countries from around the world. Displays were set up to illustrate the diversity of different

cultures represented by those Salisbury residents which included: Gambia, South Africa, Guyana, Belize, Jamaica, Ecuador, United Kingdom, Nepal and Gypsies and Travellers (to name a few of the cultures represented). It was a family affair with everyone enjoyed the company of those present and sampling food from different countries. There was a presentation from "100 Blackmen of London" together with displays of Indian Dancing and African Drumming. The event at the Guildhall was jointly funded by Salisbury City Council, WREC (Wiltshire Racial Equality Council) and Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust. By Rex Webb (Chair of SCAR)

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Upcoming Events

January 2013 – more details to follow closer to the time.

We are celebrating LGBT Month on the

Thursday the 7th February in Springs

Restaurant

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Why not get in touch? Is there something you would like to see us doing? Or would you like to ask a question? Or be involved in any of the forums we have in the Trust? Please contact us, we’d love to hear from you! Pamela Permalloo-Bass, Equality & Diversity Manager Pamela.permalloo-bass@salisbury.nhs.uk | 01722 336262 x4206 Louise Warren, Equality & Diversity Assistant Louise.warren@salisbury.nhs.uk | 01722 336262 x4026

Dates for the Diary

24th November – Ashura Commemoration of the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali

13th November – Diwali Festival of lights; the celebration of good over evil

9th December – Hanukkah Celebration of the miracle of the Temple Lamp

21st December – Chinese Mid-Winter Festival The holiday is strongly associated with Yin (female) forces diminishing and Yang (masculine) forces growing stronger in the cosmos. It is actually on

the day that the sun shines weakly and daylight is shortened.

25th Decemeber – Christmas Day Celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ