KMPT equality champion wins Equality, Diversity & Inclusion award
Date added: 18 November 2022
Natalie Diab-Bale, Clinical Coordinator at the Kent and Medway Recovery and Wellbeing College, has won the “Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Champion” award for Allied Health Professionals in Kent and Medway.
The college is run by KMPT to provide health and wellbeing courses and workshops for anyone aged over 18 years. Natalie was recognised for her dedication to ensuring it delivers inclusive learning opportunities, with a focus on enabling participation for people with diverse needs.
Natalie is passionate about helping marginalised and diverse communities to access services that help them reach their full potential. In the last year she has successfully recruited, inducted, trained and supported 14 new team members, proactively recruiting staff who have significant lived expertise of mental health, physical health and neuro-diverse challenges. She has also highlighted essential changes to remove barriers and enable an inclusive environment for service users.
The award was presented by the Kent and Medway Allied Health Professionals Faculty, at a special conference to celebrate support workers and health professionals across Kent and Medway.
Natalie commented: “I am very grateful for my award and acknowledgment of the work that I do. But I have to say that my passion, ideas and motivation is never in isolation. I am always supported by my wonderful team at the Recovery and Wellbeing College who have the same principles and mission that I do – to enable and improve EDI for those that we engage with.
“I am a little cog in a big wheel, and as a team we ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion practices are embedded within our practices at the college for the benefit of all our students.”
Natalie goes on to say that her experiences as a child gave her insight into the advantages and disadvantages of both ends of the spectrum – showing her that access to certain opportunities were more challenging for people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“My role as a Clinical Coordinator is to provide daily support to people who fall into these disadvantaged groups, and I am committed to enabling individuals within the local community to have their voices heard, participate in activities they want to get involved in – which in turn gives them the opportunity to regain control over their own lives.”
Pam Wooding, Recovery Practice Lead at the College and who submitted Natalie for the award, added: “It is wonderful news that Natalie has won the EDI Champion award for Allied Health Professionals. Her commitment and dedication to EDI within our Kent and Medway wide service and team is highly valued, and she is continuously working hard with her team to improve and enhance accessibility for all.”
Kent and Medway Recovery and Wellbeing College provides free educational courses to support mental, physical and emotional wellbeing. Natalie, a qualified occupational therapist, started as Clinical Coordinator at the College in February 2022, and has an impressive 17-year background in rehabilitation and support.
Further information on working as an Allied Health Professional at KMPT can be found here: KMPT | Allied Health Professionals
