This years Equality Conference was held at the Grand Hotel, Leicester on 23th and 24th September, 2026.
The event was attended by our branch representive Michael Houlihan and Gordon Mason, who provided a conference report, which is reproduced below.
CHAIRPERSON’S WELCOME.
Mark Bastiani welcomed everybody to the event. He stated that it is important to regularly have these conferences, to stand up to the growing challenges we all face including the far right and he continuous attack on the less fortunate and most vulnerable in society.
SPEAKER – ZAHRA LAKHAN – EMPLOYERS for CARERS UK
Zahra is an account manager for Employers for Carers, a workplace arm for of the National Charity Carers UK, who support employees who are balancing work with unpaid caring responsibilities.
She added that at any one time there are over 12,000 people in work with unpaid caring tasks. On average, 3 years ago, there were 1 in 7 people balancing work with caring – it is now 1 in 5.
Their main theme is Caring about Equality. It takes on average 2 years to identify a Carer. Unfortunately, understanding the Carer identification barrier is a issue. The reasons being:- It’s private, they don’t want special treatment, management would not understand and afrid that it would affect their career. The fear of having to go part-time, and the possibility of loosing out on promotion etc. There is a percentage of people, who are unpaid Carers, are having to give up work, giving them financial stress and anxiety.
The Carer’s Leave Act was initiated in 2023, which allows for 5 days of unpaid leave to be taken every month. This however, for people with long term care needs.
Zahra is zealous about making sure Caring is recognised as a workplace issue, and that Carer’s are reinforced.
SPEAKER – PAULA PETERS, DISABLED PEOPLE AGAINST CUTS (DPAC)
Paula is a member of the National Steering Group of DPAC and also Co-Founder of the Bromley & Croydon DPAC amongst other things. She is, however, an author supporting the rights and dignity of disabled individuals.
DPAC is essentially about disabled people and their allies. It is UK based but it is known that disabled people in other countries are suffering from austerity cuts, as we did in 2010 with the coalition government, and the lack of essential rights.
DPAC is for everyone who believes that disabled people should have full human rights and equality. It is for everyone that refuses to accept that any country can destroy the lives of people just because they are or become disabled or have chronic health issues. It is for everyone against government austerity measures which target the poor while leaving the wealthy unscathed. It is for everyone who refuses to stay silent about the injustices delivered by wealthy politicians on ordinary people and their lives.
SPEAKER – SABA ALI, BAN CONVERSION PRACTICE COALITION
Saba acts as a critical friend to the Met Police Service and the Crown Prosecution Service on hate crimes and violence against women and girls. She also sits on the Steering Group for the Alliance for Police Accountability. A queer South African women with experience of childhood trauma and cultural abuse. She has been pressing for legislation that protects people rather than leaving loopholes for abuse – for around 8 years.
Saba is the LGBTQIA+ lead in the Royal Society of Arts. She stated that it is imperative that the cultural issues faced by marginal sects of people are addressed and the protection of these people is paramount. It is apparent that 81% of all suicides are abuse related (men and women). Successive UK Governments have failed to ban conversion practices, which is one of the few left in Europe. The main aim obviously is to head off the perpetrators of these ‘crimes.
‘Do not despair’! She said, issues taken by trade unions and similar organisations have got their motions established in law.
DAVE WARD – GENERAL SECRETARY (BY VIDEO LINK)
Dave started by stating that he knew this was an Equality Event but his speech will be political. At the moment there is a project entitled the ‘Vehicle Campaign’ as a fight agai, and to convert the working class people over to Labour. Reform are telling people that Trade Union political payments are funding the Labour Party, an incorrect statement to divide us! He said it is polarisation of political discourse. He added we have to end a message to all working class people – to support migration !!! Reform need to be attacked not only on their racist issues but their workers rights stance. Finally, he reminded people that he is extremely worried for the young members for what lies ahead for them.
SHAMIUL JOARDER – PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER – FRIENDS OF AL-AQSA
A leading figure in Palestine advocacy across the UK. He has organised many of the national demonstrations for Palestine in calls for justice and freedom for Palestinians. He asked ‘ what can we do?’. Firstly, Boycott Divestment Sanctions. A proven and reliable plan which worked extremely in South Africa with Apartheid. How to do this? Contact your local MP about Israel breaking International Laws, and why have they not been punished, unlike other countries eg Iran who immediately were given sanctions for their misdemeanours.
He gave a second example of what can be done – a boycott of all ‘taste of apartheid’. Coca Cola’s head of is in Israel. So all their products including Costa Coffee, Fanta Sprite, Schweppes, Appetisers and Smart Water. They also have a minority equity investment in the Monster Beverage Corporation.
LIZ TOMLINSON – ADMIRAL NURSE – DEMENTIA UK
On average 1 in 4 show signs of Dementia in later years of their lives. Young dementia is when symptoms arise when under 65 years old. There is estimated o be 70,800 people living with young onset dementia in the UK. It is understood that the different impact that it has on mid-life has on the person, their family, way of life and their future, and why specialists support as the Admiral Nurses supply is paramount. There are vacancies for Admiral Nurses, like Liz Tomlinson, and are for registered nurses with a passion for, and experience of, providing relationship – centred dementia care in order to improve the whole experience of patients / carers / families affected by dementia with complex needs.
Liz also talked about animals and dementia and the effect they can have on loved ones including reducing anxiety and improving mood and communication.
Aromatherapy is the use of aromatic plant extracts or oils to promote wellbeing through scent.
Music can be a powerful way to trigger positive feelings and connect with other people.
Liz stated that dementia does cause problems with sleep. The issues are that:- there is disturbances to their body clock, sleeping excessively during the day, a reduction in th sleep hormone – Melatonin, confusion at bedtime (often called sundowning) and pain caused by medication side effects.
SPEAKER – JENNY NOBLE – TUC TUTOR – FACILITY TIME FOR EQUALITY REPS.
New regulations possibly in spring 2027. Section 65 in the Equality Act covers everything.
Changes to legislation:
Equality Act 2010, Section 65 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 04 October 2026. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Changes that have been made appear in the content and are referenced with annotations.
The TUC are in the process of organising new training courses, and trade unions are queueing up for places on these courses.
There are motions to the effect that BAME reps to be re-named as BAME Equality Reps.
DR. KHUDEJA AMER-SHARIF – CEO of SHAMA WOMEN’S CENTRE – LEICESTER
We envision a world where every woman can empower herself, her family and community to succeed.
To empower women to become more active, economically, educationally and socially, through a range of activities to develop their confidence, employability skills, health and wellbeing’.
Shama Women’s Centre came into existence 35 years ago, when a group of local BAME women got together to provide culturally inclusive support and activities to local women. The project grew rapidly, and the unincorporated organisation received support from the Leicester City Council to provide an array of services to the increasingly diverse local community.
The support from Shama Women’s Centre included empowerment, camaraderie, peer support, training and upskilling, as well as information, advice and guidance.
For example: People who gamble may start to hide their gambling and feel they have little or no control over the situation. Learning about what they are going through may help you to support them. Having a conversation is a great starting point. The best way to start a conversation with them is to show empathy, and reassure them that you’re not going to judge them, so they feel more comfortable about opening up.
We are the only women’s centre in the heart of Leicester, that provides a culturally conducive environment with multi-lingual staff and volunteers delivering a range of accreditations such as IT, ESOL, Mental Health Awareness, accredited level 2 business courses and more. We have a purpose-built industrial textile training centre, helping hundreds of women train and gain employment or start their own business. Our Information Advice and Guidance services support women to search, apply and prepare for jobs and gain employment including setting up their own businesses. In addition, we offer women opportunities to support each other through peer groups. Our on-site childcare means women with pre-school children can access support without spending a fortune on childcare. Our mental health and domestic abuse counselling services help break down cultural barriers and enable women to achieve independence and success.
Gordon Mason
Branch Equality & Diversity Representative (North)