Be Yourself. Build Your Future With Us - ALL HERE FOR YOU
At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), we’re proud to serve one of the most diverse populations in the UK – and we know that our people are our greatest strength. That’s why Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is at the heart of everything we do.
We’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, valued and supported—regardless of background, identity or lived experience.
Our Commitment
We believe that everyone deserves equal opportunities and a workplace where they can thrive. Our current EDI strategy focuses on three interrelated aims:
- Improved patient access, safety and experience
- A representative and supported workforce
- Inclusive leadership
We actively work to:
- Recruit, develop and retain staff from a wide range of backgrounds
- Ensure equality of access to training and leadership opportunities
- Challenge discrimination and bias in all its forms
- Embed the NHS values of compassion, respect and inclusion in our culture
Staff Networks
Our staff networks help create a sense of belonging and provide safe spaces for discussion, collaboration and support. These include:
- Diverse Abilities Staff Network
- LGBTQ+ Staff Network
- Race Equality Staff Network
- Women’s Staff Network
- Religion, Belief and Faith Staff Networks
Each network contributes to shaping our Trust, raising awareness and marking key events throughout the year.
We also have several Support & Action Groups that feed into each of the Networks. These groups work in close collaboration with the Networks, contribute to their work, and rely on them for ongoing support. In addition, we offer peer support groups for people with armed forces backgrounds and for those with caring responsibilities – these groups are an integral part of our community and are supported by the Trust’s EDI Team.
Inclusive Workplace Initiatives
We’re committed to making MFT a great place to work for everyone. Our initiatives include:
Flexible working options to support work-life balance
Inclusive recruitment practices, including anonymised shortlisting and diverse interview panels
Accessibility improvements across our sites
Celebrations of diversity, from Black History Month to Pride and International Women’s Day
Measuring Impact
We publish an annual Equality and Diversity Report to share our progress and hold ourselves accountable. This includes:
- Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES)
- Workforce Disability Equality Standard (WDES)
- Gender Pay Gap reporting
- Case studies and Equality Impact Assessments
- Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) – Annual equality Information Report
- Updates on our Removing the Barriers programme to increase ethnic diversity in senior roles
EDI isn’t just a policy—it’s how we treat each other every day. At MFT, our people and patients feel seen, heard and supported. We’re committed to building a culture where everyone belongs. That’s how we deliver better care—and that’s what makes MFT special.
