Hear from our new Allyship Champions about their experiences

Earlier this year, we launched our new Allyship Champions programme, where NAVCA members learn more about being allies in their organisations and communities. In this blog post, Beck Vickers, NAVCA’s Resources Officer, reflects on her experience being part of the programme.

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The EEDI Allyship Champions are a network of dedicated individuals from the NAVCA membership, who champion and promote a culture of inclusion, allyship, and belonging within their organisations and the wider networks that they work with. Allies and their organisations are at different stages of their EEDI journey, so we aim to share learning and provide a space for peer support and networking.  

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In February, the new NAVCA EEDI Allyship Champions met for the second time and took part in the first of 5 structured training sessions that we’ll hold this year. As a member of the NAVCA team, it was exciting to see such enthusiasm and expertise from members, as well as their commitment to deepening understanding and learning from each other. It was also encouraging to hear participants say that the meetings already felt like a safe space to explore and learn.  

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Through running the Allyship Programme, NAVCA aims to be more intentional and structured when it comes to our EEDI approach. We want to empower members to be part of a wider network of learning and support, to accelerate our journey to a place where everybody feels valued, respected, and supported. As an individual, I’m keen to learn as part of the programme and consider ways that I can better challenge discrimination and inequality.      

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We asked the Allyship Champions about why they joined the programme, and how they are finding it so far:  

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‘I joined to learn and also be part of the movement. I feel that I have already learned and made connections!’

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‘I joined to gain the skills and knowledge to improve my own confidence to challenge injustices and champion allyship.’ 

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 ‘I joined the NAVCA Allyship Programme to listen and learn how I can be a better ally and inspire others in my community to be allies too.’ 

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 ‘The group is a real safe space to share thoughts and ideas and ask those 'awkward' questions to improve our own potential.’

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‘There are few places to talk openly and supportively, and to learn from others. I wanted to widen my supportive network, which involves challenging myself, as well as sharing who I am and how my experiences can be valuable.’ 

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In March, we will hold a networking meeting for the Allyship Champions, and I am looking forward to continuing to get to know our Allies and learning from their different perspectives and experiences.

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