St Oswald's Hospice awarded Silver in Neurodiversity Employers Index

We’re absolutely delighted to share that St Oswald’s Hospice has been awarded Silver in the Neurodiversity Employers Index, a national scheme run by the charity Autistica, woohoo!

The award recognises organisations who are taking real steps to support neurodivergent people at work.  This achievement has been driven by our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Group, which was established in 2019 to champion inclusion in everything we do.

Chaired by our Head of Learning and Organisational Development, Leigh Marrs, the group works alongside teams at the hospice covering everything from recruitment, training, patient care and volunteering to embed equity, diversity and inclusion at every level.

Talking about the award, Leigh said: “Inclusion isn’t just about policies. It’s about people, and this award shows we’re moving in the right direction.”

That inclusive approach is already making a difference to people across the organisation – including Vickie Howd, a housekeeper here at the Hospice.

Vickie, who is autistic, shared how small changes like sensory breaks, access to quieter work areas, and precision-tinted glasses have helped reduce stress and made her day-to-day role more comfortable. She said:

“I’ve had panic attacks in the past because of sensory overload, but the Hospice listened to what I needed.  I can do my job with far less stress and discomfort now.” 

Leigh added:

“Hearing from people like Vickie helps us understand what inclusion really looks like – and how we can keep getting better. Receiving the Silver Award is something we’re really proud of – but it’s just the beginning.

“We’ll continue listening, learning and taking meaningful steps to create a workplace that truly works for everyone.”

https://www.stoswaldsuk.org