‘I had to start somewhere, so I started small. Allyship doesn’t have to be a big, sweeping gesture’

Jade Craswell is the Chief Executive Officer of PATA (UK), the largest voluntary sector provider of early years childcare and education support in Gloucestershire. She shares how small steps can lead to a more inclusive organisational culture

Being an ally means supporting people from marginalised groups.  As a white woman, I have lived experience of gender inequality, but true allyship is intersectional and recognises that people hold overlapping identities that can compound their experiences of discrimination. 

When I first started reflecting on inclusion, honestly, I was scared.  Inclusion and allyship was important to me, but I didn’t know much more on the topic.

I was scared of getting it wrong and afraid I might upset someone if I used the wrong words.  People within my organisation were kind and had the best intentions and it felt safer to conclude that we were inclusive because we were all caring people. Yet, I knew I had to push towards true inclusion.