60 seconds with...Siobhan Cockram
To celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month we spoke with Siobhan Cockram, from The Royal London Hospital, on what her role entails as the LGBTQ+ Network Co-site Lead.
What is your role?
Hi, my name is Siobhan, I am a Nurse in the Emergency Department at The Royal London Hospital and I also run the LGBTQ+ A&E Group. I was recently appointed LGBTQ+ Network co-site lead for RLH, MEH and Prescott Street with the wonderful Julian Rycroft.
Tell us about your experience at Barts Health as a staff member who openly supports LGBTQ+? Has it been positive or negative?
All positive so far! The support from my colleagues in A&E has been exceptional. My seniors have been nothing but supportive with me and the LGBTQ+ role. I think there is still a way to go in the Trust for everyone to feel comfortable to be out and proud but we’re making progress. I am really happy to be a part of the Network and the Trust.
What does your LGBTQ+ Network role involve?
Julian and I attend and hold Network (Trust wide / site) meetings where we discuss LGBTQ+ Network issues with the Co-Chairs Nick and Rob. We discuss things we would like to achieve for the Trust and plan how we are going to achieve them. These meetings also provide a platform for new ideas and collaboration. The LGBTQ+ subgroup works directly under the Barts Health Staff Diversity and Inclusion team. The co-site lead role is to deliver plans made in meetings, strategies’ and implement ways to make the LGBTQ+ Network stronger, accessible and more visible – of course, some social events thrown in.
What attracted you to taking on this additional role?
The more involved in LGBTQ+ A&E work I got, the more I wanted to learn and help the LGBTQ+ community. I am a bit of an activist when it comes to LGBTQ+ issues such as; access to healthcare, acceptance in the workplace and more. So, I attended an LGBTQ+ Trust Network Meeting to see if I could meet like-minded people and it all escalated from there!
February is LGBT History Month - Why is it so important to celebrate?
Being open and proud to be LGBTQ+ has not always been as accepted as it is now – and it still isn’t for many people for many reasons. LGBTQ+ History Month raises awareness of LGBTQ+ issues. It is important to reflect on how far we’ve come as a community and recognise the struggles and fights that have happened to give us the lives we have now.
We are always looking for new members and people who would like to get involved – drop us a tweet or email @BartsLGBT_Group / BHNT.LGBT@nhs.net