Parent Network looking for a Co-Chair
11 March 2022
The Parent and Family Network is inviting expressions of interest for the position of Co-Chair of the Network, to work alongside current Co-Chair Lindsey Keys.
The Parent and Family Network was set up in 2019 to provide a means of informal information sharing and support among working parents and parents-to-be at the University of Reading, and currently has over 300 members. We organise talks with invited speakers as well as informal coffee mornings on a range of topics. We have undertaken projects such as the establishment of dedicated facilities for breastfeeding colleagues working on campus, and a survey on the impact of the pandemic on colleagues with childcare responsibilities.
The Co-Chairs coordinate the activities of the Network, with assistance from the steering group, and also have the opportunity to represent the Network and its members on bodies such as the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board and the Diversity and Inclusion Community of Practice. The Co-Chairs work closely with the chairs and co-chairs of the other diversity networks to develop collaborative projects and progress our shared objectives, and are supported by the wider Diversity team. They are also part of the National Network of Parents and Carers in Higher Education, which brings together network chairs from across the sector to share ideas and best practice.
Being a Co-Chair is a great opportunity to get to know colleagues from across the University, to expand your experience beyond your day-to-day role, and to contribute to the work that the Network does to support and foster community among working parents at Reading.
For more information or to arrange an informal chat about the position please contact Ellen McManus-Fry (e.mcmanus-fry@reading.ac.uk) or Lindsey Keys (lindsey.keys@henley.ac.uk). To be considered for the role please email parentfamilynetwork@reading.ac.uk by 25th March with a short paragraph explaining why you are interested and what you would bring to the role.
For more information on the Parent and Family Network see the Diversity Networks page. You can join our online community on Teams.