A warm welcome

Welcome to the February edition of Frontline. I wanted to thank each and every member and colleague for the warmest welcome since I joined last month.  My predecessor Karen Middleton has brought the organisation to a wonderful place and has instilled a warm and progressive culture, which is a joy to experience. I promise to build on the successes and ambition – and to be part of progress and engagement with members. 

I’ve spent my first few weeks making sense of my role and understanding the priorities for the CSP. The corporate strategy is very well articulated, and I see a commitment to its objectives across all our teams. Member involvement in that is key and I will be focusing on how we can best engage and continue to hear your views. 

February’s issue of Frontline celebrates LGBTQIA+ History Month and I am proud to be part of an organisation that has a well-defined equity, diversity and belonging strategy. This is a prominent priority in my life and my work, and I hope you will join me in drawing attention to the events and experiences that have led us to take action on LGBTQIA+ rights, to highlight the continuing need to identify and address discrimination, and to endorse the equity, freedoms and happiness that are fundamental to our community. 

This edition also features the fifth anniversary of the Community Rehabilitation Alliance where we celebrate the significant steps forward – as we recognise ongoing work is needed to make this a prominent policy agenda.  

You will also read about our colleagues in Northern Ireland taking strike action on pay, which we wholly support given that it still has the lowest pay rates in the UK. The dysfunction of the assembly creates major challenges, and we must continue to lobby politicians to address these inequities. This edition also highlights the other pay negotiations ongoing across the UK.  

We also launch the CSP Council elections process and I sincerely hope that those interested will be forthcoming with your applications.

Thanks again for welcoming me and I look forward to meeting you soon.