The Pinnacle Foundation’s Post

Happy IWD everyone. A good moment to reflect on progress and the road ahead to greater inclusion and equality. I don’t know what the stats were when I started out in transport but I do recall my first bus conference with well over 100 men and just two women (and definitely no female speakers). One call out I would make though is the ongoing need for sharing of the mental load that keeps the home running smoothly. From conversations I have with my network of colleagues and friends this is still largely borne by women. So, to the men in my network, I would ask you this. Who in your household plans the kids’ birthday parties, remembers to get gifts for the kids’ friends, and for the parents and parents in law and other extended family members, remembers that the less frequently bought shopping items like toiletries, cat/dog food etc etc etc are about to run out, books the holidays and school holiday activities, play dates, remembers that school finishes early on the last day of term, and all the other school events, and times and locations of all the after school activities, and a myriad of other items that have to happen? This is the mental load and many of us carry this while busting a gut to be the best professional we can be each and every day. I heard a great podcast about working out a way to divvy these up so that the load is shared, not just for the doing but for the remembering of the doing. It’s a work in progress in my household but it definitely helps. #iwd2024 #mentalload #inclusion #equality #diversityisgoodforeveryone

How much money did HealthNZ spend on LGBTQIA+ initiatives in the last year? After discovering all government agencies have bought into DEI (diversity, equality and inclusion) I decided to ask a few random government agencies a question; " How much money did XXXX spent on LGBTQIA+ initiatives in 2023?" All of them felt the question was to broad or they didn't want to count intiatives that did a dual job. Pink shirt day is an example - bullying and LGBTQIA+ promotion. So I refined it for each agency. In the case of HealthNZ this was; "I'm not interested in services that everyone can access or use. I'm, interested in niche services, i.e. promotion, marketing, programmes, events specifically targeted/designed for the LGBTQIA+ community."  And HealthNZ's response; "Approximately $3.356 million has been spent in the 2023/2024 financial year on initiatives specifically designed for LGBTQIA+ communities." You will note they kept the response to the bear minimum with no indication of what this money was actually spent on. Not a surprise from an organisation that told me that there is no data on the number of children on puberty blockers, despite me getting them from the Ministry of Health who asked Pharmac. And a few weeks ago HeathNZ met with PATHA (trans activists) to discuss how to manage inconvenient OIA questions, such as this one. No doubt they talked about only giving out the bear minimum of information. You wouldn't want the public to know there was 740 children on puberty blockers in 2023 up from 137 in 2010. Balls

We had the best time supporting the incredible event put on by The Embrace Girls Foundation, Inc.! Check out this inspiring article about Tiffany Haddish's impact at the event! #tiffanyhaddish #icurseyouwithjoy #embracegirlpower #embracefoundation #interiorsbysteveng #IBSG #newsarticle

There is an old African proverb which states “Where the roots grow deep, you need not fear the wind” In a week where PeoplePlus were humbled to be named winners of the Investors in People Award 2023 for Social Responsibility and just 11 short days away from our exciting Social Recruitment Advocacy Group meeting in London on the 28th. Without hubris or complacency it heartens us to see how those roots are ‘taking’ within a widely and wildy differently talented team; all 100% dedicated to making a real difference. Social Value is not merely a buzzword to brandish virtuously at the drop of a corporate hat. It is a real community in need; a very real household facing daily challenges; a very real individual facing hardship and trauma. That need is our reason. What energises and drives us most about the work we do however. What we believe our USP or superpower to be is ‘intersectionality’. How many care leavers are also neurodiverse. How many people from the LGTBQ community also have a disability. How many of our brave veterans are also dealing with issues of homelessness or adverse mental health. Social Value requirements no more end at the limits of our service than it does at the close of a working day. And it is we believe that intersectionality, the understanding of complexity and diversity of service/need that makes those roots just a little deeper and stronger every day. #SocialRecruitmentAdvocacyGroup #GetInvolved nick.ward@peopleplus.org.uk

Final reflections from today’s #KFTimeForAction conference, hosted by @thekingsfund and Barnardo's.   A beautiful feature of today's content was the active involvement of children and young people, with four young individuals sitting on the panels and shaping the discussions. Their voices were not only heard but cherished as invaluable insights into the realities children face. They shared key take-home messages for us all including thinking about the causes of the causes, reflecting on our biases, engaging meaningfully with CYP and families, questioning our processes and structures, treating others like you’d like to be treated, breaking down geographical barriers and focusing on partnership, finding and creating our allies, keeping CYP as equal partners in their health.   As a #gp working both in the #nhs and #camhs and within the #vcse sector in Barnardo's, I am proud to be working between both of these sectors and I am a firm believer in their ability to achieve more together. I believe that by working together more closely, we can achieve better outcomes for children. Let's continue to bridge these divides and foster collaboration for the well-being of our next generation. When we improve the standards and care for the most deprived, we improve care for everyone 👏 #HealthEquity #healthinequalities #mentalhealth #ChildHealth #YouthHealth #Inclusion #KFTimeForAction #Equality #ChangeStartsNow

I've been criticised over the years for 'daring' to talk about disability and money (things like market share, ROI - Return On Investment - plus more) in the same breath.⁠⁠ But instead of keeping me quiet, this has only fuelled me to keep speaking AND LOUDER! Don't get me wrong, critics can be awesome and I've got a lot of respect for some of mine over the years. But if anything, they've only highlighted the complete lack of understanding about the many intricacies of these important issues. For social attitudes to evolve, it is imperative that we continue to adapt and refine our messaging strategies accordingly.⁠ ⁠ Without that, those of us with disability will forever be trapped in the charity model of disability whereby everyone (with the exception of Paralympians or inspo-porn, of course) is a weak and incapable victim.⁠ ⁠ I extend my gratitude to everyone and every business that recognises this critical need for progress and contributes to fostering change.⁠ ⁠ Although there is still a significant way to go, progress is gradually being made.⁠ ⁠ The perspective in this image is part of my interview in Mumbrella⁠ #Mumbrella #Marketing #InclusiveMarketing #Inclusion #CreatingChange #Article #MakeSomeNoise #Disrupt #RewriteTheNarrative #DisabilityConsultant #DisabilityAdvocate #DisabilityActivist #Business #Branding #Advertising #InclusiveAdvertising #Media #MediaDiversity #AustralianMedia #WritersLife #DisabledSpeaker #DisabledWriter #LifeIsBeautiful #Purpose #InclusionMatters #Critics #ROI

With the holiday season upon us, please remember that there are some who are lacking. They are not only lacking in money, but clothing, food, housing, and most importantly family and friends. There are people living in some communities, especially the LGTBQ+ community, that are being pushed aside by society, their families and have to live on the streets, some becoming sex workers, at the pre-teen age, to get money for food. These individuals might even work at your company but there is "no budget" for Corporate Social Responsibility. We need to create and nurture a social and corporate culture of caring and inclusion. Does your organization allow for Volunteer Time Off? Do you have on-going DEIB training to foster understanding? Let this season be the jump off point and contact your local support organizations to find out how you can help, not only the community you do business in but your employees and their families. Show that you care and they are loved. #socialimpact #deibestpractices #employeeexperience

In the pursuit of empowering at-risk youth and their families, Every 1 Voice Matters passionately advocates for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Teaming up with Lil Herbie Tha Mascot, we create a dynamic force that transcends boundaries. Lil Herbie Tha Mascot serves as a symbol of hope, particularly for black and brown children who share similar struggles. Regardless of their backgrounds, these youngsters are taught that with unwavering determination and hard work, they can overcome any obstacle. Our collaboration emphasizes that diversity is not just acknowledged but celebrated, promoting an inclusive environment where every voice is heard and valued. Moreover, teaching children the importance of affirmations takes center stage in our approach. Children are guided through the transformative power of positive self-talk, instilling in them the belief that they are capable of achieving greatness irrespective of their circumstances. Together, Every 1 Voice Matters and Lil Herbie Tha Mascot weave a narrative of resilience, breaking down barriers and fostering an environment where diversity is embraced, equity is championed, and inclusion becomes a way of life. Through this partnership, we illuminate the path for at-risk youth, teaching them that their voices matter, and with collective effort, they can redefine their future. #Every1VoiceMatters #LilHerbieMascot #DiversityEquityInclusion #blackhistorymonth #EmpowerYouth #AffirmationsMatter

"𝙄𝙛 𝙖 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙫𝙖𝙡𝙪𝙚𝙨 𝙞𝙩𝙨 𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙣, 𝙞𝙩 𝙢𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙋𝘼𝙍𝙀𝙉𝙏𝙎.’ (𝘽𝙤𝙬𝙡𝙗𝙮, 1951)." Yet, we seem to be wilfully blind to the critical role fathers play. It's infuriating that in 2024 workplaces and society still fail to respect and support fathers, hindering their ability to share in the joys, challenges, and responsibilities of raising the next generation. Children thrive with involved, engaged and present fathers. Pleck (2010) found that, "𝙁𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙨’ 𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙣’𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙤𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙘𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙘 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚, 𝙝𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛-𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙚𝙢, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧 𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙙𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙮." ❓️How can we ignore this? Our refusal to adapt is costing our 𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙣 dearly. Supporting fathers isn’t just about them; it’s about 𝙬𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣’𝙨 𝙚𝙦𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮 too. Williams (2010) asserts, "𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙛𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙧𝙤𝙡𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙞𝙩 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙥 𝙧𝙚𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙗𝙤𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙩 𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙚." ❓️Why are we so stubborn in maintaining outdated norms that hurt 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚? The mental health benefits for 𝙢𝙚𝙣 are undeniable. Lamb (2010) states, "𝙀𝙣𝙜𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙙 𝙛𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙞𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧 𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙙𝙚𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙭𝙞𝙚𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙚𝙣." Yet, our policies keep fathers distant, damaging their well-being and, by extension, their 𝙁𝘼𝙈𝙄𝙇𝙄𝙀𝙎. 𝙄𝙛 𝙬𝙚 𝙏𝙍𝙐𝙇𝙔 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙢𝙚𝙣, 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙬𝙚 𝙈𝙐𝙎𝙏 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙤𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚. It’s maddening to me that we continue to overlook such a bleeding obvious solution!🤬 We must demand workplace policies that empower fathers to be involved, engaged, and present in their children's lives and not miss the best aspects of being a 𝙋𝘼𝙍𝙀𝙉𝙏. Only then can we break free from this inertia and build a truly contemporary, equal society. 𝙀𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙞𝙨 𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝! #parenting #gender #humanresources #mentalhealth

While grand gestures and global initiatives often capture headlines, the true seeds of #socialimpact are sown within the walls of our homes. By instilling values of empathy, compassion, and responsibility in our families, we lay the groundwork for a more just and compassionate society. The journey of social impact begins at home, where values are imparted, habits are formed, and hearts are molded. So while all attention goes to civil society organizations, NGOs, and many more, anytime discussions around #socialimpact are being raised, the home needs to be seen as a foundation for any form of impact. This was my perspective while discussing with a friend as regards the emergence of more Initiatives, opportunities, and advocacies targeting the girl child while the boy child seems to be sidelined. This is true but isn't a problem of the present, It's a product of narratives, and belief systems in our homes which are the basic unit for any form of impact including social impact. The dynamics within the home can influence how gender disparities manifest in social initiatives. Parents and caregivers may inadvertently reinforce gender stereotypes through their attitudes, behaviors, and expectations. By promoting #gender-equitable parenting practices and encouraging open dialogue about gender roles and norms, families can play a pivotal role in fostering a culture of #inclusivity and respect for all genders. I believe the more the changes begin from the home, It will spread across to all other sectors.