Supporting nurses facing racial discrimination

From microaggressions to false accusations, black and minority ethnic nurses experience many forms of racism at work.

What support is available to help them emotionally, therapeutically and legally?

This episode of the podcast hears from nurse Neomi Bennett who set up Equality 4 Black Nurses, a group which provides a supportive space and expert guidance for nurses who have experienced racial discrimination in the workplace.

She speaks to senior news reporter Kimberley Hackett about the personal impact of racism and the support, weekly Zoom meetings, mediation and therapy which the group offers.

Ms Bennett, who won the Innovations in Your Specialty category of the RCNi Nurse Awards 2019, also explains the group’s ‘buntu buddy’ system.

Buntu buddies are nurses who understand the insidious nature of discrimination, unconscious and conscious bias and so are equipped to support colleagues experiencing inequalities.

Buntu comes from the African concept of ‘ubuntu’ that we are only human through the humanity of others.

Equality 4 Black Nurses, which has around 1,000 members, also welcomes white nurses who want to help with the group’s mission to stand up against racism.

For more episodes of the Nursing Standard podcast, visit rcni.com/podcast

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