Connecting Diverse Voices: A mutual mentoring programme

A mutual mentoring programme for Government Communications members, pairing senior leaders with colleagues to champion equality, diversity and inclusion across the profession.

Aims of the programme

Connecting Diverse Voices (CDV) aims to increase confidence across Government Communications in championing all areas of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) by matching a senior leader with a volunteer, who has knowledge or experience of important EDI topics. The senior leader, in turn, will offer guidance on leadership, career progression and development.

Eligibility

Diversity goes beyond visible differences. It encompasses a wide range of experiences and identities, including:

Job-shares
Disability
LGBTQ+ ( lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender)
Ethnic minority experiences
Socio-economic backgrounds
Regional staff
Ageism
Mental health
Care leavers
Carers
Gender
Apprentices

Embracing these diverse perspectives makes our teams stronger. It means more ideas and views are brought into conversations so that we can create better communications that really reflect the experiences of our audiences.

Getting matched

Matches are made based on information provided in the joining survey. Senior leaders identify areas of equality, diversity and inclusion they know less about and, wherever possible, are matched with a volunteer that has the experience and/or expertise in one or more of those areas.

Duration and commitment

The programme duration is typically six months.

The time commitment is an hour session once a month. Conversations can be face to face or via phone or video.

How to sign up

As a mutual mentoring programme, both participants act as mentors to each other, learning from one another’s unique perspectives and experiences. However, we classify participants as ‘Mentor A’ and ‘Mentor B’ based on their grade levels to facilitate the matching process and ensure complementary learning opportunities.

Connecting Diverse Voices opens throughout the year. There is no cohort open for sign up at the moment.

For more information about the programme and to be notified when the next cohort opens, contact connectdiversevoices@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.