Creating a more inclusive Ashgate this Disability History Month

Disability History Month is a time to celebrate diversity and reflect on how we can create a fairer, more inclusive society. This year’s theme, ‘Disability, Livelihood, and Employment,’ shines a spotlight on the vital link between inclusion and opportunity—and here at Ashgate Hospice, it’s something we’re passionate about.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we’re committed to going beyond the basics. For us, it’s not just about ticking boxes—it’s about building a workplace where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.

Breaking barriers together

We know there’s still work to be done to remove barriers for disabled people in the workplace, but we’re proud of the steps we’ve taken so far:

Making it work for everyone – Whether it’s flexible working hours or tailored equipment, we ensure our colleagues have what they need to do their best work.
Inclusive recruitment – We’ve designed our recruitment process to be accessible and seek regular advice from experts, like Disability Employer Engagement Derbyshire, to keep improving.
Building understanding – Disability awareness training helps our teams learn how to better support disabled colleagues and foster an inclusive culture.

Looking Ahead

While we’ve made great progress, we’re not stopping here. By 2025, we’re aiming to reach Disability Confident Leader status. Here’s how we’ll get there:

Boosting support – From expanding wellbeing initiatives to setting up peer support networks, we’re focused on meeting the needs of disabled colleagues.
Learning from lived experiences – We’ll keep listening to disabled staff and those with long-term health conditions to shape our policies and initiatives.
Partnering with the community – By working with local organisations, we hope to open up more opportunities for disabled individuals.

A workplace for everyone

For us, being a Disability Confident employer isn’t just about policies—it’s about creating a culture where everyone belongs. This Disability History Month, we’re celebrating how far we’ve come, while staying committed to doing even better.

At Ashgate, inclusion isn’t just an ambition; it’s a promise to our community, staff, and volunteers. We’re proud to be part of a number of initiatives that champion equality and diversity—visit our website to learn more about the work we’re doing.

Together, we’re building a workplace that reflects the rich diversity of our community.