East of England Ambulance Service leads the way in supporting dyslexic staff

The East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST) has become the first NHS organisation and emergency service to achieve the silver quality mark with The British Dyslexia Association.

The award shows that the Trust is leading the way among NHS Trusts and emergency services in supporting staff with dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties.

This includes all neurodivergent staff including those with autism, ADHD, dyspraxia and dyscalculia.

Currently, more than 150 neurodivergent staff are being supported across the Trust by two specialist lecturer practitioners.

The silver quality mark is awarded to organisations that demonstrate they are developing a dyslexia friendly workplace.

EEAST was awarded the bronze aware in October last year – again, the first NHS Trust or emergency service to achieve the bronze quality mark.

And now the Trust has gone further to achieve the silver award.

To achieve the silver quality mark organisation, EEAST has:

• Employed two specialist lecturer practitioners to support staff with specific learning difficulties
• Provided one-to-one advice to neurodivergent staff on overcoming any challenges, including advice on appropriate reasonable adjustments
• Offered a screening service to identify any potential specific learning difficulties
• Offered specialist advice to the training and education team and managers

EEAST is now sharing its pioneering work with other ambulance services and other NHS Trusts.

Justin Honey-Jones, specialist lecturer practitioner for wellbeing and inclusion and a registered paramedic, is the dyslexia champion at the Trust who has been leading the work and feels EEAST is close to achieving the gold standard.

Justin was diagnosed as dyslexic at aged 34 when completing the paramedic academy at the London Ambulance Service. The diagnosis changed his career trajectory as he could finally start “piecing together a jigsaw that he could finally complete”.

He is now determined to ensure that every person who joins EEAST feels supported and able to reach their full potential.

Justin says:

“Achieving the silver quality mark from the British Dyslexia Association is testament to the hard work from everyone involved.

“This quality mark from the British Dyslexia Association identifies us as a dyslexia friendly workplace and an attractive place to work.

“The work continues as I believe we are close to achieving the gold standard.”

Hein Scheffer, Director of Strategy, Culture and Education at EEAST, said:

“We are extremely proud that EEAST is recognised as a trailblazer among NHS organisations in supporting people with dyslexia.

“This work is part of a wider inclusivity plan that is focused on making EEAST a great place to work for everyone.”

Justin’s work as a dyslexia champion has been recognised at EEAST with four nominations for the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Champion at the annual Stars of EEAST awards, held in Norwich on Thursday 12 September.

EEAST will be supporting Dyslexia Awareness Week – 7th to 13th October – by celebrating our neurodivergent staff.

EEAST is currently recruiting for roles at the Trust. If you want a job that gives you the opportunity to make a difference, start your #CareerForLife with EEAST today. You can find out more about careers and volunteering opportunities at www.eastamb.nhs.uk/vacancies.