Parkinson’s UK launches equality, inclusion and diversity strategy

Parkinson’s UK has launched its first equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) strategy, which aims to better support people with Parkinson’s to access services and improve representation in research.

Parkinson’s disease is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world, and there are around 145,000 people living with the condition in the UK.

However, where you live, your income, ethnicity and gender can all impact when you’re diagnosed and the services you have access too.

As a leading research and support charity, Parkinson’s UK wants to remove these barriers so that everyone can access the right support and services when they need it.

The charity also wants to diversify the network of people involved with research, to improve the chances of making breakthroughs that change the lives of people with Parkinson’s.

Diversifying research participants and staff members

The EDI strategy therefore focuses on three ambitions, all of which are designed to better represent the Parkinson’s community and address some of the biggest inequalities facing them. These are as follows:

1. Engage people from all socioeconomic backgrounds
   This will ensure the Parkinson’s community has access to the support they need, regardless of their education, income or job.

2. Race equality in the research and support offered to the Parkinson’s community
   The demographic of people accessing the charity’s services and involved with research needs to mirror all those living with Parkinson’s, their family, friends and carers. A Race Equality in Research project has been established to amplify the voices of people underrepresented in research.

3. Attract, develop and progress diverse talent across all protected characteristics
   The charity wants their own staff members to better reflect the demographics of the UK. A particular focus will be on representing people with Parkinson’s and other disabilities, and people from ethnic minority backgrounds.

All three ambitions are tied together by an overarching goal: to understand and address the needs of the whole Parkinson’s community.

To hold the charity accountable, it has set various goals to meet within specific timescales. Parkinson’s UK will re-evaluate their goals in 2024 to see how much progress has been made.

Prioritising and meeting the needs of the whole Parkinson’s community

Reflecting on the importance of the strategy, Caroline Rassell, Chief Executive of Parkinson’s UK, said: “Parkinson’s doesn’t discriminate, but someone’s experience with the condition is often affected by factors outside of their control. Where they live, their income, race, ethnicity and gender all affect the support and services they can access. That shouldn’t be the case. That’s why we’ve created our first EDI strategy to prioritise and meet the needs of the whole Parkinson’s community.

“Although we recognise there are many ways our community faces inequality and exclusion, these three ambitions are a solid foundation to build on and where we can make a lasting impact. We are determined to reach more people with Parkinson’s and continue our mission to find better treatments for everyone.

“We’ve still got a lot of work to do, but this strategy is our commitment to helping everyone affected by Parkinson’s get equal access to the opportunities and support they need. Within the strategy are clear aims and timelines so that, as a charity, we can be held accountable by our colleagues, peers and community. All of us have a role to play in this vital work.”