We are a non-profit organisation that challenges perceptions by providing social inclusion workshops, led by those affected by these issues to offer real, experience-led sessions that educate the public.
Diversify was founded in 2019 by Directors Sara Cunningham and Dawn Purvis. Two women with a vision for social change and inclusion.
Diversify’s aim is to promote Social Inclusion through our innovative, creative Workshops, Programmes and Awareness sessions.
We aim to promote social inclusion through our educational workshops, programmes and awareness sessions in both the education and business sector.
Promotion of social inclusion means increased awareness of topics, decreased negative attention towards these issues and ultimately better lives for those who experience exclusion on a daily basis. We believe that people are often scared of differences in society through lack of understanding and that by informing the public, we remove that barrier to communication and community. Our Workshop Advocates bring first-hand knowledge by speaking of their own experiences, offering insight and conversation to a world that may be alien to the audience. Through this interaction, people can converse with someone they may not typically have done before and ask those awkward questions in an open environment without fear. Our Advocates subsequently break down misguided perceptions and prejudices within society.
I contacted Diversify to be a part of a panel on marginalised LGBT+ identities and intersectionality at the University of Sheffield’s Students Union, and they were absolutely great! It was so easy to organise with them as the communication was great, and the two advocates who came along (Mon and Kir) were brilliant, providing insightful input and lived experiences for the students who attended.
education
A Year 5 pupil declared ‘It was very informative, the use of videos helped me see what can happen to disabled people in society. It also reaffirmed to me that everyone is valued and needs to be valued’.
Another said, ‘I found it very interesting as I have a disability, and it helped me feel supported for the future’.
education
I asked Diversify if they could support the development of a new team I am setting up within the NHS (mental health services) I was keen to support the development of a culture in the team which embraces and values diversity and difference and discussed these needs with Sara who tailored some training specifically for us. We agreed to two workshops on LGBT and Disability and both sessions were adapted specifically to our needs, with Sara ensuring she knew what we needed and it matched the needs of the team. All the team (around 15 in total) enjoyed both sessions, stating they got a lot out of the workshops. They all engaged well and it is clear they have taken a lot of learning on board from the sessions. I would love to work with Diversify again, very professional, friendly and adaptive.
corporate
I just wanted to formally say thank you from the whole Gordonbrock Team for such a fantastic three days of informative, thought provoking workshops.
Every single child has learnt from you this week! Every single child has benefitted and grown in their understanding of disability from your workshop! Every single child will remember your workshop forever I think. The workshops have inspired not only our children but also the adults as well.
education
The children loved the Gender Equality Workshop! They engaged well, joined in with the discussions
and were actively thinking about the content and what was being discussed. Sara was a fantastic advocate, the children really enjoyed working with her and she brought energy and enthusiasm which the children reciprocated. Can’t wait for the next wor
education
Unit G1 The Crofts,
Quarry Hill,
Rotherham
S60 2DN
