We Belong: Inclusive Workplaces for All
8 - 20
Group size
in person, virtual
Team type
GrowPlay® Methodology
Using a range of tools and models, this methodology blends theory and practice to help you understand and analyze your team’s performance.
“We all have a tendency to define ‘belonging’ as ‘fitting in,’ but belonging doesn’t require us to change who we are. It requires us to be who we are.” – Brené Brown
This workshop introduces key concepts and practical skills for building diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) at work, helping participants create more inclusive cultures where employees feel valued and connected.
Why
Diversity is a fact, but inclusion is a choice.
Your workplace may be diverse, but does everyone feel included? Do your employees feel safe to be themselves, that they belong, or are they simply trying to fit in?
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) are more than just buzzwords, they are the foundation of a thriving, high-performing workplace. While diversity is about representation, inclusion is about creating a culture where every individual feels seen, heard, and valued. And at the heart of it all?
Belonging is the key to employee wellbeing, engagement, and retention. This dynamic, interactive workshop goes beyond theory, equipping participants with the skills and strategies to break down barriers, foster genuine inclusion, and build a workplace where everyone belongs.
What
During this full-day interactive session, participants will:
- Understand the core concepts of DEIB and their connection to employee wellbeing.
- Recognize the advantages of building a culture of belonging and inclusivity.
- Identify biases and practically address microaggressions that stop inclusion.
- Develop 4 key communication skills to promote inclusion and build meaningful connections.
- Overcome inclusivity challenges with practical strategies.
- Create personal action plans to establish a fair and inclusive workplace.
How
The workshop is conducted in person and combines relevant theory with practice, based on the principles of coaching and real business issue simulations:
- Initially, participants are presented with the relevant theory.
- Then, they engage in interactive activities to work on identifying biases, tackling microaggressions and developing key communication skills
- Finally, they participate in a inclusivity hackathon activity based on scenarios related to DEIB in the workplace.
Who
Ideally, everyone in an organisation should receive DEIB training to embed these values into the corporate culture, but if that is not possible then this workshop is highly effective for Team Leaders and managers as well as leaders responsible for DEIB policies.
Details
1x8 hours in-person workshop OR 2x2.5 hours live virtual workshop
Participant workbooks provided
6 month free access to Learning Resources for ongoing development
Spacious indoor venue with cabaret style seating arrangement
AV equipment (projector, screen, speakers) needed
comms platform (MS Teams, Zoom, Webex) & PC or laptop per participant for virtual version
Meet your trainer
Sophia Kalpaka
Trainer | Mental Health, DEI and Leadership
Sophia is a seasoned Learning & Development professional, DE&I consultant, and Mental Health advocate, dedicated to creating inclusive and psychologically safe workplace cultures. With a strong track record in designing and implementing impactful change programs, facilitating transformative workshops, and coaching senior leaders and C-suite executives, they deliver measurable results across diverse organizational settings. Known for their ability to engage both large audiences and individuals, they lead with empathy, strategic insight, and a passion for cultural transformation, empowering people and organizations to thrive through equity, inclusion, and mental well-being.
Their core strengths include strategic program design and evaluation across L&D, DE&I, and culture change initiatives; executive coaching and facilitation; team leadership and strength-based development; stakeholder engagement and influence; and training needs analysis. They bring expertise in content creation for leadership, mental health, and DE&I topics, and are experienced in project and client management, talent development, succession planning, and business acumen, including budgeting, business development, and ROI reporting. Educational contributions include guest lecturing at Nottingham Trent University Business School on topics such as training needs analysis, budget management, and performance management. They are also a sought-after public speaker, having delivered sessions on psychological safety for NHS Employers and NHS Foundation Trusts.
