CSP's BAME network represents the interests of black and minority ethnic CSP members and is a lead contributor to physiotherapy’s equality and diversity agenda.
ON THIS PAGE:
Gita Ramdharry on why you should join the network
Mission and objectives
The BAME network has three objectives:
Influence and impact
We want to be a resource for the CSP Council, committees and members for guidance on BAME issues within the profession. We aim to influence and impact CSP activities which affect BAME members and raise non-BAME members’ awareness of BAME issues.
Support and challenge
We want to be a resource for the CSP Council, committees and members for guidance on BAME issues within the profession. We aim to influence and impact CSP activities which affect BAME members and raise non-BAME members’ awareness of BAME issues.
Our network is a safe and supportive space for BAME members to share challenges, experiences, and learning. We’ll work to collectively challenge factors that limit individual opportunities and promote the value and contribution of BAME members.
Improve engagement and representation
We aim to facilitate and improve BAME members’ engagement in a wide range of professional activities, therefore improving BAME representation across the physiotherapy profession.
Network priorities
Our priorities for the next year include:
- Improving the visibility of the BAME network online and increasing activity on the iCSP forum.
- Helping review the CSP’s Equality and Diversity Toolkit, last updated in 2012 (the 2020 revised edition is now available).
- Engaging CSP student members at student events and Physiotherapy UK.
- Writing and presenting the Motion ‘supporting diversity networks’ at the Annual Representative Conference 2019.
- Supporting BAME members to seek out career/leadership development training opportunities
Get involved
We welcome new and existing members (including students and associates) to engage in any or all of the ways which suit their wants and needs.
There are several ways you can get involved with the network, both publicly and in our private groups, as well as joining the network leadership team. To join any of the private groups or become part of the leadership team, you must first apply to join the network.
BAME Network Leadership Team
The network are currently recruiting for a Communications and Website Officer. If you are interested in getting involved and helping to shape the CSP BAME Network and physiotherapy profession please get in touch with the network.
Wider applications to be a part of the network leadership team will open again in 2023 ahead of the next AGM in line with the network constitution.
Network roles
Roles are open to all CSP members (including students and associates) who identify as BAME.
Leadership Team
| Role | Name | Term | Responsibility | Applicant Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chair | Doreen Caesar | 2 years | Lead on vision for the network. Liaise with CSP council, EDB committee, diversity officer. Manages the network’s inbox. Lead the network’s delegation to ARC, PUK, TUC conference. Raise concerns of the network with CSP council. Liaison with other diversity network chairs. Chair the network’s annual general meeting and network day events. | Member of the BAME network |
| Secretary | Suki Wong | 2 years | To lead on administration tasks including:
| Member of the BAME network |
| Events officer | Salil Parkar | 2 years | To lead on curating events for the network, including the annual networks day and the AGM. This person will be supported by the CSP diversity engagement officer. Support leadership team with other tasks necessary for the functioning of the network as capacity allows. | Member of the BAME network |
| Communications and website officer | Vacant | 2 years (open to discussion | To lead on content for the network CSP webpage, including the network iCSP forum, as well as WhatsApp updates and network communications with Frontline magazine. Support leadership team with other tasks necessary for the functioning of the network as capacity allows. | Member of the BAME network |
| Practice and development dfficer | Olubunmi (Bunmi) Temitope Olasanoye | 2 years | To lead on communication with team members from the CSP practice and development directorate, including giving feedback for a P&D project or consulting with network members. Support leadership team with other tasks necessary for the functioning of the network as capacity allows. | Member of the BAME network |
| Student officer | Lekha Mankar | To be confirmed | Speaks from a student perspective so that the network’s annual actions incorporate the student voice. Engages students in network activity. Support leadership team with other tasks necessary for the functioning of the network as capacity allows. | Member of the BAME network Must be a current student and can roll over into first year of postgrad |
Public and private groups for network members
We have several channels for communicating with members:
- E-mail the network
- Follow the network on Twitter
- BAME Network iCSP forum
- BAME Network WhatsApp group
We maintain these network channels as safe spaces, in which we expect all members to respect and maintain others’ privacy.
Events calendar 2022
We are in the midst of planning our events for 2022. Full calendar events to be confirmed. Please check back for updates. If you have any queries, ideas, feedback or would like to support with network events please contact the network.
| Event Date/Time | Name | Description | Who can attend? | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Monday 21 March 2022 19:00 - 20:00 (60 minutes) | International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination Event | Come and join us for the BAME network’s evening event to promote equality and diversity within your workplace. Virtual event | Open to all CSP, associate, affiliate and student members and external organisations. | Registration closed |
Thursday 7 April 2022 19:00 - 20:00 (60 minutes) | CSP BAME network annual general meeting (AGM) | Come along to meet and elect the new BAME network committee and input into network plans and activities for 2022. Virtual event | Open to full CSP, associate, affiliate and student members who self-identify as BAME and are registered with the network. | Registration closed |
Thursday 21 April 2022 19:00 - 20:00 (60 minutes)
| BAME representation on CSP Council | There are upcoming CSP Council elections. This is a promotion evening for BAME network members. Current Council members will share their experience of being on the council and will utilise the session to encourage other members to apply for Council positions. Virtual event | Open to full CSP, associate, affiliate and student members who self-identify as BAME and are registered with the network. | Registration closed |
Wednesday 22 June 2022 19:00 - 20:30 (90 minutes) | Windrush Day - Where are we now? | Come and join us for an interactive session with our subject expert Dr Melrose Stewart MBE. Virtual event | Open to all members of the CSP, other AHPs and CSP staff | Register via Eventbrite |
Monday 5 September 2022 18:30 - 20:00 (90 minutes) | East and South East Asian (ESEA) Heritage Month networking event | Save the date - Details and agenda to be confirmed closer to the time. Virtual event | Open to all CSP members and other AHPs who self-identify as BAME. | Registration details to be added closer to the time |
About us
BAME Network Leadership Team
Chair: Doreen Caesar
I am an advanced specialist physiotherapist with Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust's intermediate team.
As an overseas qualified physiotherapist (qualified in Ghana), the support I gained through the CSP BAME network is what has brought me this far in my career. Without their support and encouragement in the initial stage of my physiotherapy career in the UK, I would have probably given up on the profession.
It was as part of the support that I was able to raise the motion at ARC 2012 about fitness to practice and overseas qualified physiotherapists. This led to the overseas qualified network being formed and mentoring of overseas qualified physiotherapists.
I am therefore motivated to help BAME members of the CSP especially overseas qualified to feel included and be able to contribute to physiotherapy provision in the UK.
Suki Wong (she/her)
I am a specialist physiotherapist with the Community Neuro Stroke Team at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Originally from Malaysia, I came to the United Kingdom in 2008 to complete my B.Sc (Hons) at Keele University and worked at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals for around 8 years.
I started engaging with the CSP BAME network when I started my current role at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and greatly benefited from the peer support by network members. I am currently a member of the trust BAME committee, national Chief Allied Health Professions Officer BAME Strategic Advisory Group and a CSP mentor.
My passion is supporting students especially those from a BAME heritage and international students on clinical placement. I hope to continue to be involved in current and future work at increasing diversity into AHP professions, supporting diverse AHP students on clinical placement, supporting them into employment and to ensure development and progression opportunities are equitable for everyone with protected characteristics.
Useful resources
- Free CSP Equity, Diversity and Inclusion posters for the workplace
- WCPT Policy Statement: Diversity and Inclusion (2019)
- Diversity, equality and inclusion in physiotherapy: keeping the conversation going
- CSP Equality and Diversity Toolkit (2020)
- TUC Guide to Equality and Discrimination (2019)
- The TUC Equality Audit (2018)
- NHS Employers Diversity and Inclusion
- NHS Workforce Race Equality Standard
- NHS Stepping Programme (BAME specific leadership development programme)
- NHS Ready Now Programme (senior BAME specific leadership development programme)
- Spotlight on equality of employment opportunities: A qualitative study of job-seeking experiences of graduating nurses and physiotherapists from black and minority ethnic backgrounds
- Equity, diversity and belonging (EDB) glossary
