Ongo shortlisted in national equality, diversity and inclusion awards

For the third year running, Ongo has been shortlisted in the National Centre for Diversity, FREDIE awards.

The National Centre for Diversity works with organisations to positively influence beliefs, and improve their workplace with all matters relating to equality, diversity and inclusion.

They have also created national equality standards, such as the equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) Lead Of The Year award, which Erica Sanderson, Ongo’s Strategy and Policy Manager and Equality and Diversity Champion, has been shortlisted for once again.

Upon hearing the news Erica said “This came as a total shock to me! I received an e-mail to say I had been shortlisted and I didn’t even know I’d be nominated. ​​​​​​​

“I would like to say a huge thank you to whoever put me forward for this award, it is such a wonderful accolade for me and I couldn’t be happier.

“I try to push EDI as much as I can in all that I do. It is something I am hugely passionate about and just hope that with the work that I and everyone else does continues to achieve fairness, respect, equality, diversity, inclusion and engagement at Ongo and beyond.”​​​​​​​

Ongo’s EDI group is made up of colleagues, tenants and partners and they aim to raise awareness, push forward activities and embed EDI across the organisation. They also challenge behaviours and provide improvement recommendations.

This includes discussing and educating colleagues on issues such as Black Lives Matter as well as celebrating and embracing other cultures and religions through awareness days, events and information sharing.

Karen Cowan, Head of Corporate Services and Ongo EDI Lead said: “Equality, diversity and inclusion is incredibly important for us here at Ongo. We truly believe that everyone deserves, and should be treated fairly so to be shortlisted alongside other brilliant housing organisations for the way we’ve approached this is just fantastic.

“Our diversity steering group really does make a difference and so pleased for the group to get the recognition it deserved.”

The awards take place online on 20 May 2021 from 7pm. To read more about Ongo’s commitment to EDI, check out their website, or click here to watch a video, and to read more about National Centre for Diversity, click here.