BUILDING INCLUSIVE CULTURES THAT THRIVE
Give your people a sense of BELONGING,
build your INCLUSIVE culture,
where no-one is left behind.
What Do We Actually Offer?
We steer clear of the one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, we personalise what we do to meet the specific aims of WHAT YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE i.e. what does your culture need right now.
However...........................
To help signpost you, these are the 3 focus areas:-
TRANSGENDER MATTERS -Human2Human Connection Talks
We deliver talks that weave in our personal lived experience of navigating Sophie's gender transition. These raise awareness around what it is to be transgender and for both of us coming out as part of the LGBTQIA+ community. They draw out how being diferent and feeling like you don't belong impacts on both your personal and professional life.
MEMORABLE MANAGERS - Group Coaching
We work with managers to help them become more self-aware. We develop their understanding of the impact they have on the experience of others at work. This enables them to nuture an inclusive team culture where people can be their best-self and contribute confidently to team success.
MENTAL HEALTH - Training
We deliver a range of different mental health sessions designed by MHFA England®. These give people the skills, knowledge and confidence to have the important conversations that will support individuals, elevate the overall people experience and inevitably the performance of the team.
About Us
What Is Our 'Why'?
We build inclusive cultures that empower EVERYONE to thrive.
Over the years we have seen the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging (DEIB) movement evolve from being a legal requirement to something that is becoming a part of the DNA in organisations that really value their greatest assets - their people. However, whilst a lot of great work has been done and the direction of travel is positive, progress often feels sluggish.
Why are we echoing conversations from more than two decades ago?
Great question!
We believe there are two key reasons:-
1) The focus on minoritised groups (we do recognise this is awesome work) often ends up excluding the majority of people. The irony is that this is contradictory to the very essence of inclusion.
2) 'Culture is defined by the worst behaviour tolerated' and your experience is only ever as good as the quality of your local management and how they shape the culture around you.
Therefore, we advocate that:-
A) You should start with the end in mind and focus, not so much on our differences but, on what makes us human and unites us.
B) We need to be driving change from the middle out through first line and middle management
Why Work With Us?
💜 We are Sophie and Danielle Wood - a married couple.
We met at university back in 1992 and just clicked. Almost 10 years to the day we finally tied the knot and became man and wife. Fast forward another 9 years, following a prolonged period of very low mental health Sophie transitioned (male to female) in 2011.
It was not an easy time for either of us – the world was still quite in the dark when it came to any sort of understanding of what it meant to be transgender. Family and friends struggled with the change and we lost some of them along the way as they could not comprehend the situation.
We struggled with the sense of rejection and isolation that we experienced and both grappled with mental health issues.
We went through this transitional experience whilst working for the same employer who, on the whole, handled the adjustments well. Primarily, they asked us both, and listened to our ideas and opinions.
We got to write the playbook on how to best support someone transitioning in the workplace. This has not been our experience everywhere.
The next few years saw change after change and it's fair to say our mental health has been on a roller-coaster ride throughout.
We've seen the world from different angles and we've experienced how being different can affect your life.
We've also both led in-house Diversity & Inclusion teams in our professional lives.
Therefore it is, without doubt, our lived experience and learning that have played a major part in what has inspired the creation Belonging Base!
What do we bring to the table?
Between us we have over 40 years of experience working within the People/Human Resources arena within the UK Police Service to major global FTSE 100 companies and tech start-ups.
Sophie Wood
🟪 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Expert
🟪 Headed up an in-house DEI Function (private sector)
🟪 Learning and Development Specialist
🟪 Mental Health First Aid Instructor
🟪 Motivational Speaker
For more, visit Sophie's LinkedIn
Danielle Wood
🟪 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Expert
🟪 Headed up an in-house DEI Function (public sector)
🟪 HR Consultant (MCIPD)
🟪 Business and Life Coach
🟪 Mentoring Scheme Builder
For more, visit Danielle's LinkedIn
Together, we contribute to shaping more inclusive cultures that empower individuals to be their best selves – flourishing, belonging, and adding value.
Our Credentials
Delivery Options
Public Online Services
Public Online Services
Public Online Services
We offer all of our services online.
We deliver to in-house online groups.
We know not every company has enough people to warrant an in-house event. So, in the spirit of inclusivity we also offer public online courses as and when we have enough people. If that works for you then register your interest and we will keep you informed of dates.
In-house Services
Public Online Services
Public Online Services
We can also deliver the majority of our offerings in person on your premises.
Speak to us about the options.