For the third year running, Ongo has been shortlisted in the National Centre for Diversity, FREDIE awards.
The National Centre for Diversity works with organisations to positively influence beliefs, and improve their workplace with all matters relating to equality, diversity and inclusion.
They have also created national equality standards, such as the equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) Lead Of The Year award, which Erica Sanderson, Ongo’s Strategy and Policy manager and Equality and Diversity Champion, has been shortlisted for once again.
Upon hearing the news, Erica said: “This came as a total shock to me. I received an e-mail to say I had been shortlisted, and I didn’t even know I’d been nominated.
“I would like to say a huge thank you to whoever put me forward for this award – it is such a wonderful accolade for me, and I couldn’t be happier.
“I try to push EDI as much as I can in all that I do. It is something I am hugely passionate about and just hope that the work that I and everyone else does continues to achieve fairness, respect, equality, diversity, inclusion, and engagement at Ongo and beyond.”
Ongo’s EDI group is made up of colleagues, tenants, and partners who aim to raise awareness, push forward activities, and embed EDI across the organisation.
They also challenge behaviors and provide improvement recommendations, which includes discussing and educating colleagues on issues such as Black Lives Matter – as well as celebrating and embracing other cultures and religions through awareness days, events, and information sharing.
Karen Cowan, head of Corporate Services and Ongo EDI lead, said: “Equality, diversity, and inclusion is incredibly important for us here at Ongo.
“We truly believe that everyone deserves [sic] and should be treated fairly, so to be shortlisted alongside other brilliant housing organisations for the way we’ve approached this is just fantastic.
“Our diversity steering group really does make a difference and [sic] so pleased for the group to get the recognition it deserved.”
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