RCVS joins United in Diversity campaign
"By linking diversity and wellbeing, we can ensure all members of the veterinary team feel connected and psychologically safe at work." – Dr Tshidi Gardiner.
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) has announced this week that it has joined the United in Diversity campaign run by the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE).
The campaign, which was launched on World Mental Health Day in October 2022, promotes the importance of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) for ensuring the wellbeing of all members of the veterinary profession.
The RCVS has released a short video, introduced by Angharad Belcher, RCVS director for the advancement of the professions, about the college’s commitment to improving EDI and mental health in veterinary teams.
In her introduction, Ms Belcher says: “EDI and mental health are inextricably linked and there is still much work to be done across both areas to ensure that we can create a thriving veterinary workforce where people feel psychologically safe to speak out and bring their whole selves to work without fear of retribution.”
“Education, research and collaboration are paramount. We are striving to do our utmost to pinpoint where the key problems lie so we can come together and use our shared knowledge to work towards a better future.”
The video also features Dr Tshidi Gardiner, chair of the RCVS Diversity and Inclusion Group (DIG), and Dr Kate Richards, RCVS senior vice-president and chair of the RCVS Mind Matters Initiative, talking about what the college is doing to promote EDI and wellbeing.
Speaking this week about the RCVS’s contribution to the campaign, Dr Gardiner said: “As the current chair of DIG, I have been really proud to be able to contribute the college’s ongoing activities surrounding EDI and, by extension, mental wellbeing. By linking diversity and wellbeing, we can ensure all members of the veterinary team feel connected and psychologically safe at work.
“Since creating the FVE campaign video, we have been continuing to add to our bank of resources, an example of which includes updating content for our profile page on the official Black History Month website.
“We have some truly fantastic EDI advocates here in the UK veterinary industry, and I think it is really important that we are all able to share our experiences without fear of judgement.”
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
