Meet our inclusion champions
At Family Fund we encourage and welcome staff views. Diversity brings variety of thought and we encourage this in all that we do. Our inclusion champions have an important role to play. They support the delivery and embedding of our inclusion statement. They are part of dialogues that shapes our approach to inclusion. They lead and support challenging conversations. Finally, they encourage all colleagues to be heard.
Amy Khan (she/her)
“Coming from a diverse background and managing my mental health, I have lived experience of discrimination and feel sensitive to all injustice in society. Throughout my adult life I have been a fierce campaigner against FMG and homelessness, and fought for animal rights.
“When I’m not trying to change the world, you can find me gaming on my PC, cuddled up with my lucky black cat or with my nose stuck in a good book!”
Clare Bonetree (she/her)
“I grew up highly aware of racism, with global majority family members and living outside the UK. As a teenager I was active in the UK anti-apartheid movement.
“I came out as a member of the LGBTQ+ community during the time of campaigning against Clause 29 – later Section 28. And I have been proud to be part of the UK disability rights movement. So I’ve seen a lot of things change!
“I think diversity is beautiful, and I’m really excited to bring my enthusiasm, commitment, and experience to turn the tide towards greater inclusion and equality.”
Nancy Perez (she/her)
“Since university I have been actively involved in grassroots movements, particularly related to political rights and feminism. I love to be surrounded by people with whom I share values and hopes, but also a radical tenderness to learn, re-learn and feel challenged.
“I am a Chihuahua and crumpet lover, and a loyal fan of the Ninja Turtles. In my spare time I like to try new recipes, especially puddings, while I binge a good animated movie.”
Phoenix Ruddock (they/them)
“I am an agender, transmasc, neurodivergent, queer person. I am disabled and live with anxiety and chronic illnesses. The difference made by treating someone as they are – including them, seeing them as human and looking past any ‘label’, illness or condition they have – is so important.
“Outside work I am a poet and creative. Through my art, I tackle transphobia, LGBTQIA+ issues, ableism, and many other things close to my heart. I previously volunteered as a YES Champion to tackle stigma of mental illness, which was incredibly empowering. When not being a poet or creating, I’m usually found deep in my special interests!
“Since coming to Family Fund, I have been treated like a human in the workplace and allowed to be my authentic self for the first time in a long time. Unfortunately, due to trauma from previous workplaces, I’ve been left with complex PTSD. My main reason for being an Inclusion Champion is to contribute to an environment where all my colleagues feel able to be themselves.”
Portia O’Shaugnessy (she/her)
“I’ve supervised some very diverse teams over my many years of being a team leader, not just at Family Fund but also in my previous role at the York Drug & Alcohol Treatment Service.
“I am a passionate person; I try to be as democratic as possible and give everyone the opportunity to be listened to and heard. Fairness and equality are in my bones and my mantra for life is simply: “treat others as you would wish to be treated yourself.” You can’t go far wrong with that.
“Alongside working I am raising three young people, one of which is neurodivergent. I am also fully HRT’d up and still learning to manage the home/work life balance so that my colleagues and family still get the best out of me (before my 8pm bedtime of course)!
“I’m proud to be joining the Champions to create an even more inclusive culture at Family Fund – it only takes one person to make a difference, but many people together can make a change.
“We are all in it together!”
Tasha Taylor (she/her)
“I’ve witnessed the rollback of human rights after we have made previous strides. Inclusion is more important than ever, with the wealthy profiting from hatred and dissent amongst our communities. Love is more powerful than hate. As a part of the LGBTQ+ community, that is a mantra I live by.
“In my spare time, I write to heal, knit to relax and read to escape. I also dote on our (not enough) cats, play cozy games, and grow fruit and vegetables. With varying levels of success! I also play weekly Dungeons and Dragons with the people I am very fortunate to call friends.”