Stronger Together Leeds City Region

🕯️Wishing those who celebrate a very happy #Diwali from everyone at Stronger Together. 💫 May the light of Diwali bring prosperity and joy in your family. 💡 Find out more about the #FestivalOfLights here: https://lnkd.in/eDZvf8wV #HappyDiwali #celebration #ProfessionalServices

Great to see many of the Stronger Together Leeds City Region network member firms recognised in this year's Top 75 Social Mobility Index Employers 👏 . Our career development series, outreach work experience with Leeds City Academy and mentoring programme are some of the ways we're trying to improve #SocialMobility, racial #inclusion and #diversity within the professional services sector in #Leeds. PwC, Grant Thornton UK LLP, KPMG, EY-Parthenon, Addleshaw Goddard Squire Patton Boggs, DLA Piper, Pinsent Masons

🌏 Today is #WorldMentalHealthDay and the theme is prioritising mental health in the workplace. It’s crucial to shine a light on one of the most pressing issues affecting modern workplaces: burnout. In our fast-paced world, more people are experiencing chronic stress that leads to burnout. 🧠 Burnout doesn’t happen overnight. It’s gradual and can take hold before you’re truly aware of it. It doesn’t just affect individual wellbeing; it has far-reaching consequences for organisations too. 🧘At the recent Stronger Together Leeds City Region #wellbeing & #resilience event, several of the panel talked about burnout and steps they'd taken to support themselves and others with poor mental health including prioritising regular exercise. However it's often the first thing to go when busy at work. 🌳 We all know that exercise, taking regular screen breaks and getting outdoors are so beneficial both mentally and physically. 🌞 When it comes to colleagues and friends - check in, arrange that lunchtime stroll or run or a quick coffee before work. Or why not consider a walking meeting at your next #Mentoring catch up? 💙 As well as mental health and wellbeing support offered by individual member firms, external support is available for accountancy and law firm colleagues through caba and LawCare - the mental health charity for the legal sector Let's continue to make mental health a priority in our network 💚

October is Black History Month in the UK, an opportunity to recognise the contribution and achievements of those with African or Caribbean heritage. This year’s theme is ‘Reclaiming Narratives’ highlighting the rich tapestry of stories that shape our understanding of Black history and culture. It’s a time to honour Black voices, stories and achievements by highlighting the true history and legacy that have often been overlooked.  At Stronger Together, our network colleagues are proud to celebrate Black History Month and recognise the talent of Black heritage we have across our member firms all year round. By providing access to Black role models and mentors of different backgrounds locally, we hope that this will achieve greater inclusion and equity within the professional services sector in our region. We also recognise the presence and history of Black communities in the Leeds  City region. By sharing our stories, expertise and connections, our hope is that the network will encourage more individuals from racially diverse backgrounds to enter and stay in the professions in Leeds, not just now but in years to come. As allies to individuals of Black heritage within our network, it's important we all help to amplify voices and celebrate their contributions and achievements. It's also an opportunity to recognise the diversity within Black communities and to learn about different lived experiences.” You can find out more about Black History Month here: https://lnkd.in/dp7y6ma #BlackHistoryMonth #ProfessionalServices #ReclaimingNarratives  #BHM2024 

It's National Inclusion week, a time for us all to learn more about inclusion and the actions all of us can take to further build an inclusive culture and make everyone feel valued, accepted and heard. This year's theme is "Impact Matters," highlighting the positive impact we can all make across the Stronger Together network. Some of the actions we're taking to promote inclusivity include: 🌳 Career Development series covering topics such as impostor phenomenon, well being and resilience. 🏫 Our partnership with Leeds City Academy providing an insight into accountancy, finance and law for their students. 💬 The cross-firm #mentoring programme of accountancy and legal professionals which, to date, has seen almost 100 mentoring pairings established. By embracing diversity, encouraging open dialogue, and implementing inclusive practices, we hope this will encourage more people from Black and other ethnic minority communities to be attracted to and retained in the professions in the Yorkshire region. #InclusionMatters #NIW2024 #DiversityandInclusion #Impactmatters

💡 Top tips on managing Impostor Phenomenon from our recent career development discussion Our panel of professionals from the #legal and #accountancy sectors shared personal stories and practical advice on how to navigate impostor phenomenon. With more than 80% of people suffering from impostor phenomenon at some point during their careers, struggling with the sense they haven’t earned what they’ve achieved or feeling like a fraud , it's important to normalise the conversation around these feelings. Left unchecked, these feelings can contribute to increased anxiety, less risk-taking in careers, and career burnout. Remember, it’s okay to have self-doubt, but don’t let it hold you back. You are competent, capable, and deserving of your position. #MentalHealth #development #CareerGuidance

Earlier this week, we held a Stronger Together Leeds City Region panel discussion on Impostor Phenomenon. Thanks so much to our panel members Shabana Muneer Priya Jassal Dan Dickinson Vanessa Lee and Zafir Yousaf for your open and honest insights and sharing your stories and top tips. With a recent survey by ICAS - The Professional Body of CAs showing that over 80% of professionals struggle with feeling like an #impostor, it's evident that it's an issue that impacts many people, but isn't discussed enough. Over 90 people joined the session both in person and virtually. This was the fourth session in our Career Development Series which the Stronger Together network organises for colleagues at member firms as well as the wider #ProfessionalServices community. It was fantastic to see such diversity and energy in the room as well as everyone catching up and building new connections. Well done to our Junior Committee Members Ibrahim Hans and Hamza Tariq for chairing the discussion, Wendy Ramshaw for introducing the concept of Impostor Phenomenon and Emma Dent and Katy Turner for organising such a fantastic event. We really appreciate all your efforts. Thanks also to network members Matt Henderson Meera Daby at Deloitte for hosting and to everyone who joined us in-person and virtually. Look out for our blog on top tips on managing Impostor Phenomenon. #networking #confidence #development #LeedsCityRegion

There's still time to sign up for our #online career development briefing on Impostor Phenomenon. It takes place tomorrow at 8.30am-10am. Further details below ⬇ #ProfessionalDevelopment #ImpostorPhenomenon #accountancy #law

As part of our commitment to inclusivity, we're delighted to open up the next Stronger Together online career development event to the wider #professionalservices community. This is an exclusive opportunity to hear about the career journeys of five leaders in professional services and their experiences managing Impostor Phenomenon. 💡 Our panel will be sharing their own stories along with practical tips for dealing with impostor phenomenon, and includes: Shabana Muneer, Walker Morris LLP Priya Jassal, EY Vanessa Lee, Danaus Consulting Dan Dickinson, Grant Thornton UK LLP Zaf Yousaf, PwC UK 🗓 Tuesday 17 September - 8.30am until 10.00am Register here for the #online event: https://bit.ly/3MCfLeg 🌳 Don't miss this opportunity to invest in your personal and professional growth. #LeedsCityRegion #training #development #ImposterPhenomenon

The Stronger Together Leeds City Region Together network is deeply disturbed by the racially motivated scenes of violence seen in communities across the UK over the past few days.     It is really important that we check in with each other and offer support to anyone that needs it.  We understand that many of our network colleagues may be feeling anxious, distressed and worried and for some, this brings back memories they had hoped had been left in the past.   In addition to the support individual firms are offering, support is also available via the Stronger Together Mentor/Mentee network, Executive Committee and Junior Committee.    The Stronger Together network was set up to champion racial #diversity, #inclusion and #equity in the region's professional services sector. Our professional services sector benefits from a diversity of talent from our Black and ethnic minority communities and we remain committed to providing a safe space where people can share their stories and access support.   Take care and look after each other. We are Stronger Together.   #Support #Professionalservices #Inclusion