Cavell supports and celebrates Pride in every meaning of the word.

Cavell is the charity that…

• Supports the nursing and midwifery family through tough times.
• Supports nurses, midwives, and healthcare assistants financially and emotionally.
• Supports and celebrates nursing and midwifery achievements.

But we also…

• Support equality, diversity, and inclusivity.
• Support pride in nursing and midwifery.
• Support the wellbeing of LGBTQ+ nursing and midwifery staff.
• Support equal care for LGBTQ+ patients.

Celebrating in June but supporting LGBTQ+ people all year round, we raise our hands in support of Pride and we offer a helping hand when LGBTQ+ nurses, midwives, and healthcare assistants need financial and emotional support.

Inclusion within nursing & midwifery

Last year’s NHS staff survey revealed that at least one in every 20 NHS staff members is LGBTQ+, but that LGBTQ+ staff have a worse experience of working in the NHS compared to their colleagues, and one in five LGBTQ+ staff experienced violence from patients or relatives.

What’s more, a 2021 study by YouGov found that LGBTQ+ people in the UK are at higher risk of experiencing poor mental health due to issues faced such as discrimination, homophobia or transphobia, social isolation, rejection, and more. The study revealed that half of LGBTQ+ Britons (51%) say they experienced or were diagnosed with a mental health condition, compared to a third of the general population (32%).

Understanding this increased risk of mental health struggles for LGBTQ+ NHS staff is important, as Cavell’s support for Pride is not only about celebrating LGBTQ+ people but recognising that more support for LGBTQ+ nurses and midwives is needed as they continue to face challenges that impact mental health and wellbeing.

Support

The Cavell Support Hub offers advice and resources to nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants struggling to cope with financial and emotional pressures. From grants and advice to wellbeing apps and a listening ear, our Support Hub can help you take charge of your finances and wellbeing to feel more in control.

Help from the Cavell Support team has a huge impact on people’s lives. In the last year, 90% of nursing and midwifery staff supported said that the help positively affected their mental health. And 78% of those working said it helped them get back to, or stay in, their job.

For LGBTQ+ professional resources on equality and inclusion in the workplace, we recommend that you turn to your nursing or midwifery union. The RCN host LGBTQ+ information here. You can find support for LGBTQ+ UNISON members and ways to get involved as an ally here. And equality, diversity and inclusion resources from the NMC here, and the RCM here.

Over the course of June, you’ll find support for LGBTQ+ nurses , midwives, and healthcare assistants on the Cavell social channels by following the hashtag #CavellSupportsPride.

If you would like to discuss ways in which Cavell Nurses’ Trust can support the LGBTQ+ community in nursing and midwifery further, please email welfare@cavellnursestrust.org