Making Space celebrates National Inclusion Week® 2025
Published 8 September 2025
This September, Making Space is proud to stand alongside thousands of organisations across the UK in celebrating National Inclusion Week® 2025 (15 – 21 September).
Organised by Inclusive Employers, the week is a powerful opportunity for action, learning and celebration – all dedicated to making inclusion an everyday reality.
The theme for 2025, Now is the Time is a call to action, reminding us of the urgency to make inclusion a priority at work and beyond. In a world where divisions can feel stronger than connections, and where economic pressures risk stalling progress,
This week is about turning words into action – and building lasting cultural change.
Our inclusion journey at Making Space
At Making Space, we’re dedicated to creating a safe, open environment where people feel comfortable sharing their experiences, asking for support, and knowing their input makes a difference.
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) is a core focus in our 2024–29 Strategic Plan – Recipe for Success, which is built on three key pillars: equity, community, and belonging. Together, these will guide us in creating a workplace where every voice is valued and every colleague feels included.
November 2024 marked an important milestone with the first meeting of our EDI Ambassadors group. Since then, the group has grown steadily and now represents colleagues from across the organisation, each bringing their own perspective and lived experience to the table.
Over the past year, our Ambassadors have been working with Purple Infusion, a leadership and inclusion consultancy, to shape Making Space’s new EDI Strategy. This work is helping us to define our priorities, our purpose, and what it means to be consciously inclusive as a social care charity.
National Inclusion Week’s theme, Now is the Time, perfectly reflects where we are on our journey. At Making Space, now is the time to engage our whole organisation in meaningful conversations, celebrate all identities and communities, accelerate our inclusion goals, remove barriers faced by colleagues, measure the impact of EDI, and support allies to step up for one another.
Rachel Peacock, Chief Executive, Making Space, said:
At Making Space, inclusion isn’t an optional extra – it’s fundamental to who we are and how we care. We know that when our colleagues feel safe, respected and heard, they can bring their best selves to work – and that’s when we truly make a difference for the people we support.
Now is the Time to build on the progress we’ve made so far, take bold next steps, and embed inclusion at every level of our organisation. I’m excited to see the changes our EDI Strategy will bring in the months and years ahead.
Celebrating inclusion through our Colleague Awards
As part of National Inclusion Week® 2025, we’re proud to celebrate the colleagues shortlisted for the Diversity & Inclusion Award at this year’s Making Space Colleague Awards, on the 12 September.
Our Colleague Awards shine a spotlight on the incredible people who live our values every day. The Diversity & Inclusion Award recognises colleagues who champion equality, break down barriers, and celebrate the importance that difference brings to our teams and services. Each nominee has helped to create safe, respectful and inclusive environments where everyone can thrive.
Lisa Coates-Peers – Senior Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner, North West
Lisa champions inclusion through her clinical work and leadership as LGBTQ+ Champion and EDI Ambassador. She has used her lived experience to influence organisational change, from improving accessibility in services to campaigning for pronouns in staff email signatures. Lisa’s creativity and advocacy have helped shape a more inclusive culture where every voice is respected.
Aisha Mujahid – Support Worker, Kirklees Supported Housing, West Yorkshire
Aisha is dedicated to ensuring every tenant has a voice, offering proactive and personalised support to people of all ages, backgrounds and needs. From sharing her knowledge of technology to encouraging wellbeing activities such as gardening, Aisha goes the extra mile to empower people we support and promote belonging.
Israt Rolin – Support Worker, Rivacre House, Ellesmere Port
Israt has made a lasting impact by bravely stepping forward as a Diversity and Inclusion Champion. She created an engaging and accessible presentation for colleagues and residents about Muslim culture, Ramadan and its traditions, sparking curiosity, questions and meaningful conversations. Her openness brought people together, encouraged learning, and inspired ongoing discussions about culture and celebration. Israt’s commitment to creating understanding and connection makes her a truly deserving winner of this award.
The Diversity & Inclusion Award was sponsored by Countrywide Healthcare, part of the PHS group.
As we celebrate National Inclusion Week® 2025, we’re reminded that inclusion is not a one-week campaign but an ongoing journey. At Making Space, Now is the Time to keep moving forward – together.
You can follow the week online using #NowIsTheTime