EVENTS

Learn practical ways to create a more inclusive workplace, support hidden disabilities, neurodiversity, and improve recruitment and retention.

Equality, diversity and inclusion are not just compliance issues. They are practical business priorities that can help organisations recruit more effectively, retain talent, improve productivity, support innovation and deliver better customer experiences. This workshop will help businesses understand what EDI and hidden disabilities mean in practice, and how inclusive workplace approaches can create stronger outcomes for employees, customers and the business itself.

This practical half-day workshop is designed for business owners, managers and employees who want to create more inclusive workplaces, better understand hidden disabilities and neurodiversity, and identify simple actions they can take to support both staff and customers. Participants will explore common workplace barriers, hear from people with lived experience, and leave with practical ideas they can apply immediately

Whether you are just beginning to think about inclusion or already have some policies and practices in place, this session will provide a clear, accessible and business-focused introduction to how inclusion can improve recruitment, retention, innovation, productivity and customer experience.

Through discussion, expert input, lived experience, practical exercises and group reflection, participants will be encouraged to identify barriers within their own organisations and consider low-cost, realistic changes that can make a meaningful difference.

No prior knowledge of EDI, neurodiversity or hidden disabilities is required. This workshop is designed to be practical, accessible and relevant to SMEs looking for straightforward ways to build more inclusive businesses.

What We’ll Cover:

• Understanding EDI and Hidden Disabilities
• What EDI and hidden disability mean in practice
• Why inclusion matters for SMEs
• Moving from compliance to opportunity
• Common myths and misconceptions
• The business benefits of creating a more inclusive workplace

The Business Case for Inclusion

• Recruitment challenges and skills shortages
• Accessing untapped talent pools
• Improving productivity by supporting people effectively
• Encouraging innovation through different perspectives
• Enhancing customer experience through more inclusive approaches

Learning from Lived Experience

• Hearing from neurodiverse business owners and employees
• Understanding disability and accessibility challenges
• Exploring what helps people succeed at work
• Discussing what employers often misunderstand
• Identifying simple adjustments that can make the biggest difference

Supporting Employees

• Creating more inclusive job descriptions
• Considering alternative interview approaches
• Understanding different communication styles
• Exploring flexible working and reasonable adjustments
• Supporting wellbeing and different working preferences
• Developing more effective feedback and management approaches

Communicating with Customers and Clients

• Making customer communication more accessible
• Using clear language
• Recognising different communication preferences
• Considering accessibility in events
• Understanding website accessibility basics

Practical Inclusion Health Check

• Assessing recruitment, workplace practices, communication and customer experience
• Identifying what the business already does well
• Highlighting areas for improvement
• Selecting one practical action to implement within the next month

Ask the Experts

• Opportunity to ask questions of lived experience speakers, an EDI specialist and a business owner
• Exploring practical suggestions and realistic next steps
• Gaining feedback on ideas identified during the workshop

Interactive Activities

Throughout the workshop, participants will:

• Share their biggest current challenge around inclusion
• Discuss barriers that may unintentionally exist within their organisation
• Hear directly from people with lived experience
• Identify free or low-cost workplace adjustments
• Complete an Inclusion Health Check
• Develop personal commitments for action

What You’ll Get

• A practical understanding of EDI, inclusion and hidden disabilities
• Insight into how inclusion can improve recruitment, retention, innovation, productivity and customer experience
• Real experiences and practical advice from people with lived experience
• Examples of simple, low-cost adjustments that can support employees and customers
• A structured Inclusion Health Check for your business
• Practical ideas to improve workplace communication, accessibility and management approaches
• A personal set of three commitments to start, stop and explore further

Who Should Attend?

This workshop is ideal if:

• You are a business owner, manager or employee who wants to better understand inclusion
• You want to support employees with hidden disabilities or different working preferences
• You are looking for practical, low-cost ways to improve recruitment and retention
• You want to make your workplace, customer communication or events more accessible
• You are unsure where to start with EDI but want clear, practical guidance
• You want to create a more inclusive business that works better for employees and customers

Book your place now and discover how your business can improve performance and productivity in just one session. This is a highly interactive session with limited capacity to ensure maximum value for attendees. Early booking is recommended.

PLEASE NOTE: businesses need to be registered with the Durham Growth Programme prior to attending. A link is below for registration, therefore ONLY businesses based in County Durham are able to attend this fully funded workshop.

Durham Business Growth and Productivity Programme is a comprehensive initiative designed to elevate productivity and foster growth within businesses located in County Durham. Being part of the programme allows you access to workshops.

For businesses in County Durham, the benefits of engaging with the Durham Business Growth programme are manifold. Through its dedicated initiatives, the fund offers access to financial resources, expert guidance, and networking opportunities that can fuel growth and expansion. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or an established company.

Durham Business Growth | UKSPF | Durham