Excel Against the Odds - supporting individuals with chronic illnesses and disabilities in the workplace
Excel Against the Odds - Q&A
Welcome to our Q&A session with Excel Against the Odds. We are thrilled to shed light on the remarkable work of this organisation, which is dedicated to supporting individuals with chronic illnesses and disabilities in the workplace. Not only does Excel Against the Odds provide crucial assistance to individuals navigating challenges in their careers, but they also extend their expertise to organisations seeking to create more inclusive and supportive environments for employees with chronic illnesses.
Let's delve into how Excel Against the Odds are making a difference:
What is the mission behind Excel Against the Odds?
At Excel against the Odds, we believe that everyone living with chronic illnesses and disabilities who is well enough to work and wants to work should be given the right support and adjustments to enable them to have a successful career.
People living with chronic illnesses have a lot to offer the workplace and we want to help organisations create a culture of inclusivity and openness where employees feel empowered and encouraged to ask for the support that they need to enable them to work and have a flourishing career. If organisations focus on supporting employees with chronic illnesses it can have a very positive impact on their business, increasing productivity and improving staff retention.
How does Excel Against the Odds support individuals facing challenges in education and career advancement?
Excel against the Odds can provide mentoring to individuals who want support in working with a chronic illness. Looking at how to work around your health condition, providing strategies on reducing the impact of stress and how to have conversations with your company and medical team about your health. We will also look at supporting your mindset as chronic illness can often affect confidence.
Launching in May is the Chronic Empowerment Hub for employees with chronic illnesses. The Hub will provide monthly masterclasses on working and living well with a chronic illness as well as a chance to network with other people living with chronic illnesses. There will be an online community where you can ask for support and advice as well as signposting to external organisations who can provide support.
Can you share a success story or example of someone who has benefited from your organisation's support?
We worked with a mentee who was finding that she was unable to balance her work with her health condition. She found herself on a rollercoaster where she was working hard and then burning out. She’d then have to take time out to recover by which time her work had built up and she found herself struggling to catch up. As one of her main symptoms was chronic fatigue, we looked at how she could manage her energy better and how to plan her work around her available energy. We also looked at techniques that enabled her to work smarter, so that she could achieve more in less time. We discussed how she could communicate her needs and what external support she was entitled to. After our sessions, she reported that she had made great progress and was much more productive in her work and more confident in her ability to balance her health and her work.
How does Excel Against the Odds collaborate with other organisations or institutions to amplify its impact?
Sarah, the founder of Excel against the Odds, has recently been appointed to the Steering Board of the Lilac Review. The Lilac Review is a government-backed programme looking at tackling the inequalities faced by disabled entrepreneurs. She sits on the Steering Board alongside Government Ministers and Directors of large corporate organisations. Sarah is also a Purple Tuesday Ambassador, raising awareness of the importance of considering the needs of disabled customers. She has participated in roundtables with government and corporate organisations to look at better improving the lives of disabled people. Excel against the Odds has delivered talks to organisations raising awareness of chronic illnesses as well training and workshops on how managers and colleagues can effectively support employees with chronic illnesses and disabilities.
In what ways can individuals or organisations support the work of Excel Against the Odds?
Please spread the news about the work that Excel against the Odds is doing to improve the lives of people working and running a business with chronic illness. We host the Excel against the Odds podcast where we interview people who either run a business or work with a chronic illness. Do get in touch if you’re interested in being a guest.
If an organisation is interested in improving their support to employees with chronic illnesses then please get in touch so that we can discuss the best options for providing this support. Organisations and individuals can also get involved with the Lilac Review.
What are the future goals or initiatives that Excel Against the Odds hopes to achieve?
Supporting the work of the Lilac Review remains a priority for Excel against the Odds alongside working with organisations to see how they can better support entrepreneurs with disabilities. We’re excited to be launching the Chronic Empowerment Hub in May. The Hub will provide employees and entrepreneurs with a community, advice and training on how to have successful career in alignment with their health. Excel against the Odds will continue to advise organisations on how they can better support employees with chronic illnesses and disabilities. We will also be launching a pilot programme in Spring for Chronic Illness Ambassadors. This programme will train ambassadors within an organisation to be a single point of contact to provide confidential support and signposting to employees with chronic illnesses.