At Coverage Care, we are proud to remain an active Covenantee of the EMBRACE: A Culture of Inclusion initiative, reaffirming our commitment to ensuring that older LGBT+ people feel respected, valued and supported throughout their care journey.
The EMBRACE Covenant builds on the important legacy of Safe Ageing No Discrimination (SAND) and provides a framework for organisations to champion equality, diversity and inclusion for older LGBT+ people across Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin. Coverage Care continues to play a significant role in this work through our participation in the EMBRACE Leadership Steering Group, which provides leadership, guidance and support to organisations committed to creating more inclusive services.
As one of the founding members of the Steering Group, our Chief Executive, Debbie Price, works alongside partners from health, social care, housing and voluntary sector organisations to ensure that inclusion remains at the heart of service delivery for older people. The group promotes best practice, shares learning and resources, identifies areas where discrimination may still exist, and encourages organisations to take meaningful action to improve the experiences of older LGBT+ people.
Throughout the year, Coverage Care has continued to support the principles of the five EMBRACE Covenant commitments by embedding inclusive values into our culture, encouraging open conversations, and ensuring our homes are welcoming environments where every resident can be their authentic self. We recognise that many older LGBT+ people have experienced discrimination during their lives and may be concerned about accessing care services. Our commitment is to provide compassionate, person-centred care that respects each individual's identity, relationships and life experiences.
Our ongoing involvement in EMBRACE also enables us to learn from the experiences of other Covenantee organisations through regular network meetings, helping us strengthen our own approach while contributing to wider improvements across the health and social care sector.
As we look ahead, Coverage Care remains fully committed to the EMBRACE Covenant. We will continue to champion inclusion, share good practice, support awareness-raising activities and work collaboratively with our partners to ensure that older LGBT+ people can age with dignity, confidence and without discrimination.
By maintaining our active participation in EMBRACE, we are helping to create communities and care environments where everyone feels they belong and where diversity is celebrated as a strength.
Click here to view our Equality Brochure
The covenant includes five key pledges:
- Commit to providing the best possible quality services for older and old LGBT+ people
- Commit to learning what life can be – and has been – like for different LGBT+ people
- Commit to vocally and visually supporting groups working with and for older and old LGBT+ people
- Commit to creating meaningful opportunities for LGBT+ people and groups to ‘influence’ what you do
- Commit to assess and evidence change, including work carried out to engage LGBT+ people (within the group/organisation and outside it)
We have introduced LGBTQ+ Champions in the homes; they are identified by the LGBTQ+ flag badges that they wear. It is their role to raise awareness with residents and staff and to facilitate events throughout the year. The champions have been pivotal in our transformation as an organisation.
We have agreed to focus on education and awareness starting with: LGBTQ+ history week, understanding language associated with the LGBTQ+ community and to hold events to celebrate Pride month.
We have supported Skills for Care and SAND by sharing our experience of meeting the 5 pledges through promotional videos and attending SAND’s annual celebration event in 2023.
Our aim is to ensure everyone is empowered to be themselves and live their best life in our services.
Be You with Us, 2026
On Saturday 8th of August, we were delighted to welcome everyone to Be YOU with US - a joyful celebration of diversity, life choices, community and belonging at Coverage Care Montgomery House in Shrewsbury.
This special event brought together residents, families, colleagues, neighbours and community partners to celebrate what makes each of us unique.
There was music, entertainment, delicious treats, meaningful conversations and plenty of smiles in the garden.
How Coverage Care, became the first care provider to become involved with SAND |
Coverage Care’s SAND journey so far |
