Shrewsbury College Students Gain Insight into LGBT+ Inclusivity in Care

In February 2025, a group of Health & Social Care A Level students from Shrewsbury College had the opportunity to engage with a thought-provoking talk on LGBT+ inclusivity in Care, delivered by Lewis Collins, Recruitment & Training Manager at Radfield Home Care Shrewsbury & Oswestry. The one-hour session, focused on the EMBRACE movement of inclusion, an initiative developed by local Shropshire organisation Safe Ageing No Discrimination (SAND).

The EMBRACE movement works to support older members of the LGBT+ community in Shropshire, by addressing and raising awareness of the challenges they face in areas such as healthcare, family, and social services. The talk aimed to educate students on both the progress and ongoing challenges of ageing for LGBT+ community, fostering a better understanding of inclusivity in the local community.

Raising Awareness and Encouraging Discussion

Throughout the session, Lewis shared a variety of materials, including the trailer for Gen Silent, a documentary filmed in the USA that highlights the unique challenges facing older LGBT+ individuals. This powerful film was used to prompt discussions about the intersection of aging, identity, and accessing care.

Additionally, Lewis took the time to provide a history of SAND and the EMBRACE movement, detailing their significant work over the past 15 years in advocating for inclusive practices. Students were also encouraged to participate in discussions, with Lewis posing challenging questions designed to help them reflect on their own experiences and how these might relate to the difficulties faced by older LGBT+ individuals. A Q&A session rounded off the afternoon, where students explored broader social care issues in the local community.

Key Achievements

The session saw students asking their own insightful questions, revealing their genuine interest in the topic. Feedback from the students was overwhelmingly positive, with several expressing surprise at the challenges faced by LGBT+ people in their communities.

In addition to raising awareness, the session also helped to strengthen the relationship between Radfield Home Care and Shrewsbury College. Students expressed interest in completing their future placements with the company, a relationship that has already seen Radfield Home Care provide regular placement opportunities for the college.

Carrying the Legacy Forward

As Lewis is also the current rotating Chair of the EMBRACE Facilitators network, he, along with other Facilitators locally, play a role in ensuring that the legacy of SAND and its vital work continues. With SAND beginning to wind down in 2025, talks like the one delivered at Shrewsbury College are essential in carrying forward their message and continuing to challenge social attitudes towards LGBT+ inclusivity, especially for older individuals.

Radfield Home Care is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment and providing compassionate care to people from all walks of life. By engaging with the next generation of healthcare professionals, Radfield is helping to ensure a future where inclusivity and understanding are at the forefront of social care in Shropshire.

For more information on the EMBRACE movement and Radfield Home Care’s commitment to inclusivity please visit https://www.lgbtsand.com/projects/embrace/