The Champions act as leaders for Equality and Diversity at Canterbury College with their fundamental role being to ensure that there is an equality of opportunity at the College for their ‘protected characteristic’ as outlined in the Equality Act 2010.

An Equality and Diversity Champion will:

• Be a point of contact for anyone wishing to raise any issue which they feel does not provide an equality of opportunity
• Propose action on any issues which could be viewed as not providing an equality of opportunity
• Remove any Equality and Diversity barriers that may hinder any learner or staff member being successful at Canterbury College
• Actively support any learner or staff group or event relating to each protective characteristic

Age

Mark Page - Accounts Coordinator
01227 811111 ex 2025

“I want to be the Champion for Age because age affects us all at some time in our lives. Within the college I would like all courses, advertising and resources to be as age diverse as possible; to ensure all students, regardless of age, feel comfortable in all common areas around the College; Challenge the perception of youth and for the College to rise to the challenge of ever growing older workforce.”

Disability

Sharon Clarke - Disability Advisor
01227 811334

“My background is working with disabled children and young people, ensuring their needs are met and helping them reach their full potential. I support and represent disabled students throughout the College. I would like to see every disabled student participate in student life, reach their full potential and progresses in their chosen subject.”

Richard Dean - SIC Manager
01227 811262

“As a Champion for Disability I want to help and support everyone to fully access all that our College offers and to enjoy and achieve to their full potential during their time here.”

Steve Moore - Faculty Head
01227 811216

Gender and Gender Reassignment

Danielle Banyai - HE Public Services Coordinator
01227 811239

“I have been lecturing Equality and Diversity modules for several years. I believe that an organisation which gets their Equality and Diversity right is a better place for students and staff as they are encouraged by the support of their tutors and colleagues.”

Marriage and Civil Partnership

Lut Stewart - Director of Student Support Services
01227 811173

“Civil partnerships gave the same legal rights in same-sex partnerships; however this was just a first step. I believe in fairness and access to the same opportunities and am therefore interested in following the progress of the formal consultation on how to implement equal civil marriage for same-sex couples by 2015.”

Emma Fruin - Personal Assistant
01227 811138

Pregnancy and Maternity

Vicki Smith - Welfare and Equality Team Leader
01227 811187

“Part of my role is to ensure that equal rights are given to all employees including those going through the maternity and paternity process. I have four children of my own I understand the pressures and demands of being a working parent and enjoy offering advice and support to employees on this subject.”

Nicola Barton - FE Business Lecturer
01227 811139

“I had my first child whilst studying Higher Education, managing to balance pregnancy with studies. I found this to be an interesting juggling act and want to help others do the same, successfully! I am going to establish a meeting group within College for pregnant students and students with young children to meet up.”

Rosie O’Hara - Advanced Practitioner
01227 812058

“We lose a number of students every year due to pregnancy and maternity. Many people regret not completing their qualifications and although some return, many may never have another opportunity. My aim is to improve the way we support pregnant students with completing at least part of their qualification. As well as increasing flexibility for pregnant students and access to learning resources which will increase the opportunities for them to complete and achieve successfully.”

Race

Craig Nimmo - Facilities and Estates Manager
01227 811211

“I manage a diverse department with staff from a variety of backgrounds and races. We provide an essential range of services to the College. As the Equality and Diversity Champion for Race, I first want to celebrate our racial mix of both learners and staff and encourage learning and understanding of other cultures with aim of maintaining racial harmony in a safe and tolerant learning environment.”

Religion or Belief

Ros Sykes - LRC and Copy Shop Manager
01227 811167

“As a Christian I value the privilege of seeking to practice my faith in all areas of my life, including study and work. I would like everyone at College to feel that their religion or beliefs can be part of their life at College; and to have the opportunity to debate differences in a supportive environment.”

Sinan Rawi - HE Electronics and Mathematics Lecturer
01227 811239

“I am closely involved in the local Muslim Community. Originally from Iraq, I was involved in the establishment of a mosque in Canterbury and now work closely with the local council on initiatives to support the Muslim community, including Muslim Youth Forum. I have spent two years working part -time in the Chaplaincy at HMP Canterbury and am now chairman of the trustees of the Canterbury mosque and Head Teacher of the Arabic Sunday School at the University of Kent.”

Sexual Orientation

Kleberson de Souza - Section Manager Art, Crafts and Design Section Manager
01227 812116

“I would like to place the Sexual Orientation Equality characteristic on an equal footing with other, more established Equality characteristics. I want to make the voices and experiences of lesbian, gay and bisexual College staff and learners heard and make sure they are treated fairly. I want to ensure everyone treats Sexual Orientation as an integral part of the Equality and Diversity agenda.”

Dan Curran - Student Activities Assistant
01227 811328

“I have been volunteering and working for Students’ Unions for the last 5 years and over this time I have been amazed by the hard work students put in. I feel that everyone should be in a safe environment where they can express themselves as they choose too. No matter who they are and what they choose to be I believe this should not affect their involvement at College.”

An Equality and Diversity Champion does not need to know all the answers or how all aspects of the College can be changed to ensure an equality of opportunity; however it is the questioning and spending time considering your own personal views around issues which are important. Each Champion will be expected to consider their protected characteristic from the learners, potential learners, staff and visitor’s prospective; where there are two Champions the decision can be made for one to cover learners and potential learners, and the other to cover staff and visitors.