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Staff Disability Forum

The Staff Disability Forum exists to provide a support network for staff and to facilitate positive changes in the organisation. Staff engagement and feedback is vital for the organisation to work together. The Staff Disability Forum was established in 2015. 

If you would like to join our Staff Disability Forum please contact: ggc.staffdisabilityforum@ggc.scot.nhs.uk and if you wish to join the Forum’s mailing list, please be assured that your personal details will not be disclosed and you can be part of the Forum anonymously. Emails sent will always be blind copied.

The Forum has a social media presence on Facebook.

To be added to our mailing list, please email ggc.staffdisabilityforum@ggc.scot.nhs.uk.

Please see the drop-down below for information about the Neurodivergent Sub-Group.

Staff Disability Forum Chair

Atika Sharma is Chair of the Staff Disability Forum and is a Learning Disability Physiotherapist within Glasgow City HSCP. Atika looks forward to continuing to grow and develop our Disability Staff Forum.

Kate Ocker is Vice-Chair of the Staff Disability Forum and is a Research Nurse, based at Gartnavel General Hospital. Kate helps to lead the Forum with commitment and determination and shares “I developed my own disability in 2005. It came out of the blue and turned my world upside down. My experiences of how I was then treated and perceived have left me with a burning passion to make sure nobody ever has to face that. Working together, we can achieve a valued, diverse workforce. I would love to see more people accessing the Staff Disability Forum for support, to contribute and above all, to make a difference. Sharing good practice is as helpful as raising concerns. You can contact in confidence, or you can join meetings and know that your voice is heard and valued.

I have been involved with the Forum since the beginning and I am delighted to see the steady growth. But there is still the need to spread the word that every voice matters. I am pleased to be stepping back as Atika takes over as Chair, with her huge compassion, energy and new perspectives. I will continue to give my support through the Forum.”

Martin Savage is also Vice-Chair of the Staff Disability Forum and is a Carers’ Information Worker within Glasgow City HSCP.

Our Staff Disability Forum aims to:
  • Promote equality
  • Protect staff against discrimination
  • Encourage colleagues to share their lived experiences
  • Empower staff to feel able to confidently disclose their disability
Terms of Reference
Neurodivergent Sub-Group

A Neurodivergent Sub-Group has been established, with the purpose of the group being to:

  • Provide Neurodivergent staff members with support and a safe place to be our Neurodivergent selves.
  • Provide input into NHSGGC policy and procedures where appropriate. 
  • Provide, where appropriate and where group members have the time, advice to the wider NHSGGC staff group regarding matters related to Neurodivergence.

Meeting dates for 2024

  • Tuesday 7 May from 2:30pm to 4pm
  • Monday 5 August from 2:30pm to 4pm
  • Tuesday 5 November from 2:30pm to 4pm

To contact the Sub-Group, please email GGC.StaffNDGroup@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

Meeting Dates for 2024

Please contact ggc.staffdisabilityforum@ggc.scot.nhs.uk for details on how to join.

  • Monday 5 February from 11.00am to 12.30pm
  • Wednesday 8 May from 1.00pm to 3.00pm
  • Tuesday 20 August from 11.00am to 12.30pm
  • Monday 4 November from 1.00pm to 3.00pm
Remote Drop In Sessions 2024

Drop ins are a regular feature to allow for networking, general support and raising any matters people are finding interesting or challenging. They take place on the second Tuesday of every month from 6.30pm to 7.30pm

  • Tuesday 9 January
  • Tuesday 13 February
  • Tuesday 12 March
  • Tuesday 9 April
  • Tuesday 14 May
  • Tuesday 11 June
  • Tuesday 9 July
  • Tuesday 13 August
  • Tuesday 10 September
  • Tuesday 8 October
  • Tuesday 12 November
  • Tuesday 10 December

Please contact ggc.staffdisabilityforum@ggc.scot.nhs.uk for details on how to join.

Staff Disability Forum Meetup – 17 April

The Staff Disability Forum is hosting a face-to-face meeting for members, and those who would like to more about the forum, to come together in a supportive space.  The forum is for all staff members with a disability or long-term condition and for their allies. 

We will be at the Teaching and Learning Centre, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital on Wednesday 17th April in Room L0-006 on the ground floor from 1:30pm until 3:00pm. There will be tea, coffee and cake!

Please register for the event here: Staff Disability Forum Meetup – 17 April

Reasonable Adjustment Guidance

We have launched the updated Reasonable Adjustment Guidance to support employees with a disability, health condition or diversity in the workplace to have, a great experience at work. This guidance can be used in conjunction with the Workplace Adjustment Passport.

Useful Links

Our members have found the following links useful resources. If you would like to suggest any more for inclusion, please email ggc.staffdisabilityforum@ggc.scot.nhs.uk

Accessible Toilet Facilities    

https://www.bladderandbowel.org/help-information/just-cant-wait-card

Adult Autism and Neurodivergence Support

Autism Understanding Scotland – reframing the narrative around autism

Arthritis

Versus Arthritis | All of us pushing to defy arthritis

Axial Spondyloarthritis, including Ankylosing Spondylitis

Your SpAce | National Axial Spondyloarthritis Society (nass.co.uk)

Bowel Conditions

https://crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/

Cardiac arrhythmias 

Home – Arrhythmia Alliance – UK (heartrhythmalliance.org)

Cerebral Palsy

Home – UP – The Adult Cerebral Palsy Movement (upmovement.org.uk)

Cerebral Palsy Scotland

Ehlers-Danlos (connective tissue syndromes)

The Ehlers-Danlos Support UK – Support for people touched by the Ehlers-Danlos syndromes

The HMSA | The Hypermobility Syndromes Association  

Headaches and Migraine

OUCH(up) – Cluster Headache Charity | Support for Sufferers & their Families (ouchuk.org)

Multiple Sclerosis

MS Society UK

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (For Post-Viral Fatigue Syndrome, Myalgic Encephalopathy/Encephalomyelitis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Long COVID)

The ME Association         

Renal Disease

Kidney Care UK     

Stroke Survivors           

Stroke Association | Home 

Home – Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (chss.org.uk)