WorkPride Panel: LGBTQ+ Support - What is Available and How Can You Access It?
Support for the LGBTQ+ community is increasingly available as our community adapts to the challenges and barriers presented to us. Join us on this panel as we explore the work different organisations are doing to support the LGBTQ+ community and the vital importance of it.
Sponsored by:
Speakers:
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Lukasz KonieczkaExecutive Director
Mosaic LGBT Young Persons' Trustborn in Sopot, Poland started his education at the College for Social Workers where he graduated with a specialism in community development before continuing his education doing social psychology at SWPS University. Throughout his studies, Lukasz volunteered for Amnesty International as campaign coordinator and association 'Together against AIDS' as volunteers' coordinator. Volunteering, however, butters no parsnips, so he had to work in a bank throughout his studies, he decided to move to the UK to work as a social worker. That however proved to be difficult as his qualifications although achieved with distinction were not recognised in the UK. He, therefore, worked in a nursing home in Farnborough as a head of activities department before moving to London to work for Brent Youth Services as a Mosaic Project manager. He took up any opportunity of learning offered by his employer and did qualifications in education management alongside youth work before he was made redundant and the project closed following government cuts. Lukasz however together with his colleagues founded the charity Mosaic LGBT Youth Centre that continued and expanded the work supporting, educating and inspiring LGBT+ young persons in order to shape proud, strong and cohesive LGBT+ community of the future. Lukasz describes himself as a bit of an eccentric Humanist with the passion for Equality and Human Rights. In his spare time, he volunteers on Community Advisory Board of Pride in London is a chair of the board of trustees for another charity Greater London Youth Foundation as well as volunteers as a home visitor for Refugees at Home where he says he can put into practice his strong belief that all humans have a right to dignity and decent housing. He also volunteered on the advisory board of YMCA West London for nearly two years, but his time wasn't able to stretch enough to carry on with that engagement. -
Cat HaldaneInitiatives Manager
Stonewall HousingI'm a creative leader with over 10 years' experience in the queer charity sector. My specialisms include creating queer-specific content and resources, championing diversity and inclusion, corporate fundraising, leading special events, youth homelessness, and managing social media and comms. I am the Producer and Executive Producer of the path-breaking feature length documentary; Less, and Founder of the House of Stonewall Ambassador Program. My work has featured across flagship billboards during London Pride, stocked in the likes of Harvey Nichols and I've had ads shown across all UK cinemas supported by Pearl and Dean. Featured in the Top 100 visible lesbian list for the charity sector in #lesbianvisibilityweek 2020 and 2021. I'm currently the Initiatives Manager for the UK's leading LGBTQ+ homelessness organisation Stonewall Housing. -
Anish Pathak (He/Him)Employment Lawyer
Bird & BirdI am an Associate in our International HR Services Group, based in London. I advise on a wide range of contentious and non-contentious employment matters at Bird & Bird. I have experience of acting for a range of companies and individuals involved in complex employment legal and HR issues. I strive always to deliver practical, relevant and commercial solutions in a user-friendly manner. I advise clients on the full spectrum of employment law matters, from coordinating multi-jurisdictional projects, to litigation in the Employment Tribunal and High Court, and providing day-to-day HR support and guidance. The part of my job that I enjoy the most is speaking with my clients directly and building strong and meaningful relationships. I work hard to understand how my clients navigate and operate within our globalised world and their own industry sectors. This understanding helps me to deliver tailored and well thought-out employment solutions which can be quickly translated into direct actions within my clients' businesses. I am firmly committed to being a well-rounded lawyer, both at Bird & Bird and within the wider community. I am involved in the Firm's diversity projects, and deliver equality and diversity training to our clients. I also take part in pro bono projects and other diversity initiatives within the UK.
