REACH Staff Network
Information on how the University of Sunderland's REACH Staff Network has run between 2022-23.
What is the REACH Staff Network?
The REACH (Race, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage) Network, previously known as the BAME Network, aims to provide a safe space to share experiences and knowledge, discuss current topics, and make influence wherever possible.
The network has made great strides to address equality issues through monthly meetings with members and raises awareness of issues to a senior sponsor when necessary.
Our members have highlighted that they appreciate the sense of community, meeting with like-minded people who understand what experiences they go through. It is an opportunity to build a support system, as well as bringing awareness to the wider University and influence improvement.
- 87.5% agree that this network gives them the feeling that they belong
- 75% agree that this network allows them to express their authentic self
- 100% agree that this network allows them to express their views without judgement.
Our Network Chairs
Meet the chairs of the REACH staff network.
Matthew Lee
Shandeep Sanghera
Initiatives and actions that have impacted the University
Our network discussed the ways they have impacted the University positively. One of the things mentioned was the network members, who are a group of people that actively seek change in this environment where they feel they can be themselves and discuss issues they relate to.
In the last year we also saw the introduction of new intitiatives, such as the name pronunciation tool, and our submission to the Race Equality Charter, an award which aims to address racial inequalities and promote race equality in Higher Education institutions.
Aims for the next 12 months
The aims for our network in the year ahead include:
- Being more community focused within Sunderland and the north-east, such as working with the local community to put on events and support those in need of a voice. The aim would be to make the city feel like a safer place for our non-white staff, students, and their families.
- Involving members in the implementation of the Race Equality Charter, creating more awareness and celebrating our staff ethnic groups.
- Publicising and informing people that our network exists, as it has a lot to offer people.
Our senior sponsors
We ask our sponsor to:
- Commit to using their connections and knowledge to support the network in delivering great events, widening membership, and inspiring staff across the University
- Work to feed the views of the networks to the EDI group and Executive
- Come to events to gain more awareness of our background, society, struggles, and experiences fitting into the Sunderland community
- Help us work with the wider community in Sunderland so the city feels like a safer place for our non-white staff, students, and their families
- Highlight how the work the REACH network does is benefitting and will continue to benefit the University.
Does the network support the delivery of the University’s value of inclusion?
When our members were asked if the group support the delivery of the University's value of inclusion, 50% answered ‘Definitely yes’ and 50% answered ‘Probably yes’.
Our terms of reference
We asked our members their opinions on how we deliver our terms of reference:
Connections
To create connections, a safe space, shared purpose, interests, information, and sense of belonging for members.
Share
To share problems, knowledge, ideas, situations, and lessons.
Solve problems
To help to solve problems and challenges by bringing resources, processes, and influencing change.
Powerful voice
To be a powerful voice and source for positive change, embedded across the whole University.
Contact us
We welcome feedback on equality, diversity, and inclusion.
Please contact our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team, inclusion@sunderland.ac.uk or the Students' Union at yoursu@sunderland.ac.uk.