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You may remember that earlier this year we launched our equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) strategy, which sets out our plan to embed change and develop a profession for the future. This strategy is helping us focus our intentions by ensuring EDI runs through all our work and is embedded into our organisational goals. We believe that although making small steps is helpful, what’s required is an ongoing commitment to deliver positive change.

Steps forward

It’s great to read the inspirational conversation in this issue between one of the first recipients of our bursary scheme, Joden Joseph, and the recipient of one of our PhD bursaries, Mary Atito, along with Rotimi Akinsete, whose Black Men on the Couch event we were pleased to co-sponsor earlier this year.

We know that finance is a barrier to the profession for many underrepresented groups, which is why we launched our pilot bursaries scheme last year. Our aim is to encourage those from minority ethnic communities into the profession by providing financial support, so it’s great to share that this opportunity is succeeding in its aim.

The scheme is currently in its pilot phase but we’re determined to scale up our commitment in future to provide many more of these important opportunities and support our new and existing student members into the profession.

Continuous impact

I was also moved to read this edition’s ‘Presenting issues’ article, which marks the 75th anniversary of HMT Empire Windrush docking at Tilbury in 1948 by focusing on the intergenerational trauma of fractured families.

The people who arrived on Windrush have helped shape our country and culture in so many positive ways, but we also know there were negative ramifications for many of those involved. One of the lesser-acknowledged effects was the splitting up of families and the impact that is still felt by many of the people ‘behind the individual’ and the generations which follow.

The long-term consequences of separation within families can be significant – we know it has the potential to impact and shape people’s mental health, often to a negative effect, the trauma from which has no doubt been explored in many therapy rooms. The article is a powerful read and gives real insight into this important part of history, reminding us of the stark realities still faced by many immigrants to the UK.

Continuing our work

This month’s ‘Big issue’ has a focus on the black voice in psychotherapy and counselling research, and in particular black women – it documents the barriers that are still faced and celebrates the impressive and important work that’s being done. We’re already looking towards our 2024 International Research Conference, where we’ll be highlighting the need to bring more lived experience into research, and where research can have an impact for practitioners and their clients.

The theme will be ‘Enriching research, practice and policy with lived experience’, which we hope will encourage and support more researchers to include people with lived experience throughout the research process, as well as undertake research that will have the biggest impact for clients, practitioners and counselling practice.

Leading EDI

I’d like to use this opportunity to welcome another new member to our Executive Leadership Team, Jamie Redmond, an exceptional HR professional with substantial experience who has joined us as our new HR Director. Jamie will lead our EDI strategy, working with a team to ensure its implementation throughout all our workstreams.

Having previously worked in a number of industries, including market research, tech software and most recently at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Jamie also has a wealth of experience in EDI. She says: ‘Throughout my career I’ve worked with diverse teams across the globe and really value people’s differences, what makes them unique and embracing what they can bring to the table. I’ve got a lot of experience in helping people from different cultures adapt to new roles within the workplace, including relocating families to different countries and helping them adjust to a new environment.

I believe that it’s vital to ensure people feel valued by really taking the time to understand their individual needs. I’m passionate about removing barriers and supporting people on their journeys so they can give back and support others within their communities, and I’d like to bring this to Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¾«×¼×ÊÁÏ to enhance what we already offer.’