ENABLED Staff Network

The ENABLED (Enhancing Abilities and Leveraging Disabilities) Network was launched in December 2019 to provide a community to support and empower staff, and to strengthen our visibility and voice in order to help make GOSH a fully inclusive employer.

Enabled Staff Network

We acknowledge the incredible resourcefulness and resilience of people managing complex health needs and impairments in their daily lives, and we work within the social model of disability that identifies the source of our disability as the structures and norms of our physical and social environments, not ourselves.

We act as expert advisers within the Trust, providing insight and advocacy through our membership on the Diversity & Inclusion Steering Group and through our Executive Sponsor.

Meet our ENABLED Staff Network team

The ENABLED Staff Network is led by a collaborative team:

Chair: Geraldine Trimmer (She/Her/They/Them) 

Vice Chair: Ash McKaughan (They/Them)

Secretary: Lorraine Barwick (She/Her)

Policy & Staff Support Officer: Vacant

Network Support Officer: Tom Byford (He/Him/They/Them)

Membership Liaison Officer: Vacant- please contact Geraldine Trimmer or Ash McKaughan

Communications & Policy Engagement Officer: Emmy Cullen (She/Her/They/Them)

WDES Lead: Vacant -please contact Geraldine Trimmer or Ash McKaughan

Executive Sponsor: John Beswick (He/Him)

Our Remit

The ENABLED Staff Network is for anyone working at GOSH who has a disability, neurodiversity, or long-term health condition, and our Allies. We exist because it is so important for the children and families who come into GOSH to see people like them around them at GOSH, which means we need policies and processes that support staff living and working with long term health conditions, disabilities, and diversities. We aim to help anyone who needs us, and we work with our sister Networks and the SLT to try and help make GOSH a safer, happier, supportive, inclusive place to work. We have some great plans for 2024.

Our priorities

Our priorities for action are around:

  • training and awareness-raising
  • increased understanding and use of reasonable adjustments
  • increased opportunities for staff with health conditions or disabilities
  • prevention and intervention around bullying and harassment

How to join the Enabled Staff Network

The ENABLED Staff Network is open to anyone who has an interest in the development and support of staff with disabilities and long-term health conditions.

Contact information

To get involved with the Forum or find our more about our events, activities and initiatives please contact us at ENABLED@gosh.nhs.uk

You can also follow us on Twitter @GOSHENABLED.