Led by the National Dignity Council, Dignity Champions form part of a nationwide network of over 83,000 individuals and organisations who work to put dignity and respect at the heart of UK care services to enable a positive experience of care.

Purpose of Dignity Champions:

• Ensure everyone regardless of age, using health and social care services, in any setting, has their basic human rights upheld in a respectful and dignified manner
• Make sure dignity and respect is at the heart of everyday practice and isn’t an addition to it
• Treat everyone as a unique individual
• Promote personal choice
• Promote independence, well-being and quality of care/life
• Empower people
• Make time to listen
• Challenge discriminatory attitudes, behaviours and assumption

Key aims for Dignity Champions:

• Stand up and challenge disrespectful behaviour rather than just tolerate it
• Act as a good role model by treating other people with respect, particularly those who are less able to stand up for themselves
• Speak up about Dignity to improve the way that services are organised and delivered
• Influence and inform colleagues
• Listen to and understand the vies and experiences of citizens

If you or your organisation would like to become a Dignity Champion, sign up for FREE at http://www.dignityincare.org.uk/

When we won our BIBA in September 2015 for Professional Services Business of the Year, one of the less-known-about bonuses of winning, is entry to the BIBAs Academy.

The Academy was run by Lancaster University Management School, and brought all of the business owners together, about every three weeks, for a workshop run by the lovely Richard Baguley; this was then followed by a one off NatWest Masterclass series.

The workshops allowed a couple of hours out of the business to reflect (often a rarity!) and to share experiences with other winners. Each session was guided by Richard, and was tailored around building sustainable, bold, high growth businesses.  The range of knowledge in the room was extraordinary – and everyone was so willing to help, listen, challenge and provide thought-provoking comments and ideas.

The Masterclasses were an absolute treat – with world-class speakers. Everyone from Mike Ryan (futurist extraordinaire!)  to John Timpson (I’m not sure I would want to be his HR Manager, but blimey do his staff love him and he gets results!)  The variety of topics covered was huge, but every single one had an inspirational story and it was unanimously agreed that the whole group took plenty of nuggets away from each one in the series.

To have access to all of the above, in the fabulous surroundings of Lancaster University, was a real treat – and they have been generous enough to tell us to keep in touch, and to keep using the facilities. I am hopeful that everyone on the course will continue to make time to do this – I know that I’m currently toying with the idea of an MBA there, and others are looking at different ways that work for them and their business.  The next Masterclass series will also be a something to relish, I’m sure.

To everyone who was involved with the organisation, delivery and participation on the programme, please keep in touch, and thank you!

Sorrel Holland