By Chris Davies, Strategic Lead for Health and Active Ageing

What it means to me to be an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion champion

Committing to being an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) champion initially brought mixed emotions. My passion, appetite, and dedication to the agenda were never in question, but I felt somewhat insecure about the difference I thought I could truly make. However, it wasn’t long before my uncertainty transformed into hope, inspiration, and deep respect for my colleagues and the supportive space we’ve created to explore this crucial and deeply meaningful subject.

Whether it stems from allyship, lived experience, personal interest, or professional drive, there has never been any doubt about the power of diverse thoughts and opinions. This diversity strengthens us as a family of champions, growing together in mutual support and commitment.

Every organisation may define the role of EDI champions differently, but for Active Gloucestershire we are “a peer-led group of advocates who learn, share, and take action to advance the EDI agenda, shaping a culture of respect, inclusion, and belonging for all staff.” Our ambition is bold: to accelerate good practices, bring EDI to the forefront where it’s often sidelined or forgotten, and serve as role models – advocating for inclusion and challenging discrimination.

In a world brimming with diversity, inspiration, and rich experiences, inclusion is not just important, it’s essential. At last year’s Include Summit, I had the privilege of hearing Suzy Levy – author, presenter, businesswoman, and agent of change speak about the transformative power of inclusion. Her words struck a chord: welcoming diversity and creating an inclusive space isn’t enough. We must do everything possible to ensure that people feel they can truly be themselves – not just in isolated moments, but consistently, every day, in every space.

This is especially critical in a world where “being yourself” doesn’t always feel safe. Whether it’s disclosing a disability, pregnancy, neurodivergence, or sexual orientation, these moments of vulnerability can feel like walking a tightrope. As champions, allies, and individuals with lived experience of protected characteristics, we must appreciate the fear behind questions like, “Am I going to be okay? Will I be physically safe? Will I be psychologically safe? Is this the right environment for me?”[1]

Thanks to Suzy, my peers, and my colleagues, I’ve come to understand the vital role champions play in fostering a culture of advocacy, learning, and inclusion. We offer a supportive space to amplify EDI, share insights from our lived experiences and professional business areas – whether in health, children and young people or operations to celebrate achievements in EDI both within Active Gloucestershire and beyond.

My time as an EDI champion has also deepened my understanding of allyship. To be honest, allyship was something I hadn’t fully grasped before. While I’m still learning, I now realise that sentiment and belief in inclusion and social justice alone isn’t enough. True allyship is about taking action. It’s about standing shoulder-to-shoulder with marginalised groups and earning recognition as an ally through meaningful, consistent advocacy. It means challenging systems, questioning the status quo, and speaking out where others cannot.

Allyship, for me, is about truly listening—listening deeply—then confronting injustices and calling out inequalities, no matter how persistent or entrenched they may be. It’s about having the courage to act.

But being an ally wouldn’t feel possible without the culture of trust and camaraderie I’ve found among my fellow EDI champions. Together, we learn, grow, and hold each other accountable. We share our successes and struggles, celebrate progress, and confront challenges head-on. We’re committed to elevating EDI, looking at the full journey of each individual in our organisation – not just isolated moments. And we’re honest about when we need help, when things aren’t going well, and when external support is required to improve.

My final reflection on this journey is about the time and effort it takes to truly embrace this role. The skills, knowledge, courage, and capacity to be an effective EDI champion don’t appear overnight, they are cultivated and honed over time. The day I committed to being an EDI champion was a proud one, but it was also just the beginning. This role is part of a lifelong journey of learning, growth, and self-improvement. It’s about standing up for those whose voices have been silenced, advocating for equity and justice, and walking alongside my AG family—vulnerable yet brave—as we collectively speak out about what it means to be a champion.

[1] Mind The Inclusion Gap – Keynote by Suzy Levy https://youtu.be/2PBCgyhu9Yc?si=8OdQ01ekezamXMrF