Share your views on equity, diversity and belonging

Here we set out some of the reasons we need a strategy and why we need your help in taking it forward.

We are inviting all members to read the aims of the strategy or the full consultation document, and then take part in a short survey, which takes less than five minutes. The strategy aims to bring about positive and lasting change for members, staff and the communities we serve.

Is this anything to do with me?

Equitable and diverse workplaces offer employees a better sense of community, increased worker engagement, and a more positive culture, which helps companies evolve, innovate, problem-solve and be more efficient.  Employee belonging has a clear link to outcomes like productivity and retention. 

So, whether you think you are directly affected or not, taking action to improve equity, diversity and belonging benefits everyone and is more likely to reduce health inequities for our patients and clients.

The CSP can only bring about change if its members and staff take action. We are not going to attract and retain a diverse profession unless there is equity and a feeling of belonging.

Here members share their thoughts on the profession:

Ishmael Beckford, physio and market director at Vita Health Group & newly elected CSP Council member

‘Racism, prejudice and bigotry still loom large in society and unfortunately in elements of our profession…

‘Whether it’s the experiences of overt racism shared by colleagues; a lack of progression opportunities and representation…or subtle but no less pervasive attitudes.’

Niko Brenner, trans physiotherapy student

‘One of the main drivers for my motivation in a career in healthcare at the moment is actually social issues within healthcare, and health inequalities.

I think healthcare really has the potential to be a driver for positive social change as well.

Uzo Ehiogu, consultant physio in rehabilitation and physical preparation and NHS clinical teaching fellow

'We need to be honest as a profession and recognise the unconscious bias that we all have.

As a mature profession we can all play our part to understand this, so we’re inclusive and attract a representative workforce for the good of our patients.

Carrie Woodhouse, physiotherapist and disability analyst

‘My career was capped because of my blindness. There was a complete inflexibility in terms of accommodating my disability and fatigue in a clinical environment.

The lack of reasonable adjustment at a fundamental level, or understanding of what equality meant, led to one of the darkest times of my life.

Arun Joseph, CSP member and a DPhil student in clinical neurosciences at Oxford University

Having diversity brings different outlooks to different aspects of the profession… it pushes the profession forward and ultimately it increases the scope of practice.

Manessa Faal, MSK physiotherapist and CSP steward

‘As a profession we must embrace the challenge of eradicating racial inequality, with training and awareness, and calling out racism.’

Help us shape a fairer future

You don’t have to have had any direct personal experience of discrimination or inequity in order to share your views. This strategy is focused on supporting all members and staff to take action and so it needs to be relevant to you.

Whoever you are, we want to hear from you – as all of your views are valid and helpful to the profession we are all striving to improve.

We really want you to be part of that change, so please take a few moments to look at the draft strategy and fill out the survey – as your views can help make this happen