As most of you will know, towards the end of each year THE Agency (Recruitment) Ltd gets a facelift, or rather our website gets a facelift!
We do this to keep our brand fresh and current, but also to represent how we are feeling about the vibe of the coming new year and the message and support that we wish to give to those around us who we feel deserve recognition for their efforts to create awareness and support to others.
This year we couldn’t be prouder to reflect the rainbow in our colour choice, the universal symbol of hope and peace. The rainbow (best known for appearing when the sun shines through the rainfall) is used to help spread positivity and understanding for those around us.
So why the rainbow? There are many organisations who use the rainbow to help spread awareness and support, and we wanted to show our respect and commitment for that. Like the rainbow brightening the sky after a storm, we want to move into 2021 with brightness in our hearts and minds, and a positivity for change.
One Rainbow that is extremely prevalent to all of us this year is the NHS Giving Thanks during the COVID pandemic. The rainbow was the perfect go-to symbol for positivity and hope when we wanted to give thanks to the NHS staff on the frontline during an unprecedented year. The selfless care being given by staff, and the sacrifices they must make by being away from their own families to look after others is/was without question heroic, with rainbows were being put up in windows, chalked on paths and walls – all in support of sending thanks and gratitude to all those frontline workers.
Additionally, the NHS Rainbow Badge which first appeared in October 2019 as part of the NHS commitment to being an inclusive care provider and employer. After a Stonewall survey revealed that one in seven LGBTQ+ people avoided treatment for fear of discrimination, the NHS took steps to show they offered and open and non-judgemental, support and care for all, regardless of how people identified.
The rainbow symbol has long been referred to as the pride flag and is dedicated in spreading respect for diversity and the LGBTQ+ movement. Today there are still 68 countries who see homosexuality as a criminal offence. A survey done this year by Thomson Reuters Foundation found that even in countries who see themselves as being ‘inclusive’ – one in three gay men felt physically or emotionally unsafe at home. Attitudes are shifting, but there is still a lot of work to be done to build equal rights for all and not just some.
The National Autism Society also has a rainbow to represent its link with the concept of the autism spectrum – the rainbow and its spectrum of colours is used as a way to represent the range of autism symptoms. Autism is complex, and can impact a person’s social skills, communication, relationships, and self-regulation. While there is currently no known single cause of autism, early diagnosis helps a person receive the support and services that they need, which can lead to a quality life filled with opportunity.
The uniqueness of each person with autism makes the experience of living with autism, and the varying abilities and challenges different for each family. With around 1% of the world population on the autism spectrum, chances are we will all know someone with first-hand experience.
On a final note, we feel that as an equal opportunity employer and one that prides itself on being kind, caring, supportive and aware of those around us who need ongoing support and recognition – we salute all of our rainbow family, friends, colleagues and the wider community as we move in to 2021 – hopefully we will see sunshine at the end of everyone’s rainbows.
Stay safe everyone and don’t forget to love, cherish and support those around you…
Thank you
Kim xx
Kim Barnes – Evans FREC
Managing Director
11.12.2020
