A brand new series of inclusivity in the workplace webinars launches in Gloucestershire this month.

Over the past five years, the GEM Project has supported more than 2,000 people in Gloucestershire facing significant barriers to employment - on average helping one person into work every three days.

GEM works closely with Gloucestershire employers to understand their needs and to promote inclusion, many of whom want to do more, but don't know where to start or worry about 'getting it wrong'.

To support employers, Inclusivity Works was born, and this month launches a series of free Lunch & Learn webinars, presented by experts to offer advice and guidance across the first four topics.

The 45-minute sessions will cover:

• Deafness in the workplace - November 16

• Neurodiversity - November 23

• Recruiting foreign workers and refugees - November 30

• Diversity - December 7

Tony Solomon from the GEM Project said: "An inclusive culture empowers people to share their experiences and perspectives, which drives creativity and innovation.

"Inclusive cultures enable people to work in ways that suit them, ensuring a healthy work life balance and that they are able to deliver the very best for the organisation.

"Ultimately, these employees are happier at work. Happier employees are more productive and more productive employees are more profitable. Inclusivity is good for the individual, the business and the community."

Another major element of the Inclusivity Works campaign is the Gloucestershire Inclusive Employer Award, which recognises employers who are committed to building an inclusive culture, where diverse groups of people can come to work to feel valued and confident to be themselves. The first 13 organisations received their award in October in a celebration held at Gloucester Services.

The first 'Lunch and Learn' webinar takes place on Tuesday November 16, 12pm-12.45pm. Register here https://bit.ly/3w3oddk or visit www.inclusivityworks.org to find out more about becoming a Gloucestershire Inclusive Employer.

Inclusivity Works is run by The GEM Project, a partnership of over 40 organisations managed by Gloucestershire Gateway Trust, alongside the lead organisation Gloucestershire County Council, and is jointly funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and European Social Fund.