Diversity event for Basingstoke businesses at Inclusion Education

Inclusion Education’s new work-hub at Belvedere House, in Basing View, will welcome representatives from Basingstoke businesses on October 11 between 8.30am and 11am for the Future Potential – Your Opportunity event.

Organised by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council in partnership with Inclusion Education, Simpila Wellbeing, Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, Destination Basingstoke and Hampshire County Council, the event will educate employers on how a more inclusive workforce can be nurtured and how embracing diversity expands opportunities for everyone.

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Inclusion Education (Image: BDBC)Guest speakers will explore how the economy benefits from neurodivergence, how to advocate for wellbeing and diversity in organisations, and what opportunities there are to diversify the workforce. There are a number of benefits of a more diverse workforce for businesses and their employees including improved creativity, problem-solving and decision making.

Leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council Cllr Paul Harvey said: “Businesses can benefit so much from having a diverse and inclusive workforce, with employees providing different perspectives, creative thinking and sharing their skills. We are very proud to be an inclusive and diverse borough and we want to support our businesses by helping them to nurture the talent we have on our doorstep.

“This event will provide our borough’s businesses with a perfect opportunity to come together and share their experiences and find out more about how they can build a more inclusive, effective workplace.

“As a council we know this is important to create a thriving economy.”

Innovation and development director at Inclusion Education Marie Greenhalgh said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be working with so many wonderful organisations from the Basingstoke community. We are so proud of all that we have accomplished with Inclusion EB8 providing a supportive work hub for young people who are facing barriers to employment through their neurodivergence or mental health needs.

"We work closely with the individual to support them to find the right place for them, growing skills, knowledge and confidence to make the next steps. Our service also helps to showcase what a neurodiverse supportive workspace can be like - highlighting how some small changes can make a big impact on the work environment, opening up to a rich and diverse workforce that may otherwise be missed.

"We look forward to welcoming our guests and taking the opportunity to share what a special space we have created."

Following the event, there will be a tour of the newly launched Inclusion EB8 work-hub, for a limited number of guests.

The new service helps young people aged 18 and over in the Basingstoke and Deane and Hart areas with the support they need to get into employment. This includes employability skills, in-house work experience and supported work placements.

To attend the event, email partnerships@basingstoke.gov.uk.