HEIW achieves Diverse Cymru's Black Asian and Minority Ethnic Cultural Competence Silver Plus Award

Published 3/10/2023

The workforce and organisational development team within Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) has been awarded the Black Asian and Minority Ethnic Cultural Competence Scheme Silver+ certification award by Diverse Cymru.

The award recognises the team’s active support and commitment towards helping HEIW become a culturally competent employer and ensuring the workplace is fair and equitable for those from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities across Wales.

The certification scheme is funded by Welsh Government and supports the Anti-Racist Wales Action Plan, which was published in June 2022. 

Gareth Lloyd-Richards (he/ him), Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Lead at HEIW accepted the award on behalf of the team at the Black Asian and Minority Ethnic Cultural Competency Scheme Awards last night (Monday 2 September 2023).

He said: “At HEIW, we believe that our organisation is greatly enhanced by the wide range of backgrounds, experiences, views, beliefs, and cultures represented within our workforce.

“Equality, diversity, inclusion and culture are not just a tick-box exercise, or a nice to have, but should continue to be embedded across everything that we do across the organisation.”

To support Welsh Government's ambition to make Wales an anti-racist nation by 2030, HEIW is working closely with Race Council Cymru to support its Black History Wales 365 campaign.

Launched on the first day of Black History Month (1 October), Black History Wales 365 is an year-long showcase of artistic, cultural, and educational events that highlight the significant contributions and achievements of Black individuals and communities across Wales.

The Black Asian and Minority Ethnic Cultural Competency Scheme Awards is just one of many events that HEIW is proud to sponsor this year in support of the campaign. 

For more information about Black History Wales 365 and the Black Asian and Minority Ethnic Cultural Competence Scheme, please visit blackhistorywales.org.uk and diversecymru.org.uk.