The Hivecast

In this episode of the Hivecast, Zoe Hanson discusses the Disability Confident series with Assistant Director of People at Fairhive, John Wallbank and Ben Stykuc, Disability Confident Lead at Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Katie Ayala, Communications, Marketing & Partnership Manager.They explore the societal impact of the Disability Confident initiative, the importance of job fairs, personalstories related to mental health, and the significance of neurodiversity inclusion networks. The conversation also covers the stages of becoming Disability Confident, collaborative efforts in the community, and practical tips for employers to foster an inclusive workplace.00:00Introduction to Disability Confidence00:55The Societal Impact of Disability Confident04:34Personal Stories and Mental Health Awareness09:49Inclusion Networks and Sharing Experiences11:56Neurodiversity and Inclusion Initiatives15:35Becoming Disability Confident: The Process19:08Success Stories from Disability Confident Employers23:33The Ripple Effect of Disability Confidence24:54Top Tips for Employers on Disability Confidence

In this episode of the Hivecast, Zoe Hanson speaks with John Wallbank, Assistant Director of People and Rick Smith, Head of IT at Fairhive. They explore the importance of creating an inclusive workplace culture, the impact of inclusionnetworks, and personal experiences with disabilities. The conversation highlights the journey towards achieving Disability Confident status and the significance of open discussions about disabilities in fostering a supportiveenvironment.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Disability Confident00:56 The Importance of Disability Confident03:10 Creating a Culture of Openness04:59 Inclusion Networks and Their Impact07:41 Achieving Disability Confident Status11:09 Journey with Autism12:56 Role of Leadership in Disability Confident16:37 Encouraging Participation in Disability Confident

In this episode of the Hivecast, Zoe Hanson speaks with John Wallbank, Assistant Director of People at Fairhive about the Disability Confident series, focusing on the importance of supporting individuals with disabilities in the workplace. John shares his personal journey with Type 1 diabetes, discussing the daily challenges and the need for psychological safety at work. The conversation highlights the significance of the Disability Confidence Scheme, the statistics surrounding disability employment in the UK, and success stories from Fairhive, showcasing how reasonable adjustments can make a significant difference in employees' lives. The episode concludes with a discussion on the business benefits of embracing disability confidence, emphasising the positive impact on company culture and employee retention.Chapters00:00 - Introduction to Disability Confident Series00:54 - John's Personal Journey with Diabetes04:55 - Living with Diabetes: Daily Challenges06:10 - Psychological Safety in the Workplace09:46 - The Importance of Authenticity at Work11:29 - Statistics on Disability Employment13:43 - Fairhive's Commitment to Disability Confidence16:05 - Real-Life Impact: Sam's Story17:58 - Real-Life Impact: Ryan's Story18:26 - The Dual Confidence of Disability Confident

Welcome to the Hivecast and our Disability Confident series. In this episode, Zoe Hanson sits down with Ben Stykuc, Disability Employment Advisor Leader for Buckinghamshire Job Centres, to break down what the Disability Confident scheme really is, how it works, and why it matters.Ben explains the three levels of the scheme, the commitments employers make, and the practical adjustments that can make workplaces more inclusive. He also shares powerful real-life stories of individuals whose employment journeys were transformed through Disability Confident principles.Whether you're an employer thinking about signing up or simply curious about how the scheme supports a more inclusive workforce, this episode provides clear insight, practical guidance, and inspiring examples.Chapters:00:00: Understanding Disability Confident02:41: The Levels of Disability Confident05:40: The Importance of Reasonable Adjustments08:33: Benefits for Employers and Employees11:11: Real-Life Success Stories14:14: Challenges and Misconceptions17:00: The Role of Support Organisations19:35: Statistics and the Employment Gap22:32: Conclusion and Call to Action