Between 2020 and 2022, I worked as a freelance inclusion and diversity consultant for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service. In my role as lead consultant, I developed a seminar series for frontline firefighters, exploring the ways that they could incorporate anti-racist and anti-sexist principles into their day-to-day work. I also presented similar materials to their senior stakeholders, such as the Chief and Deputy Chief, looking at ways that systemic barriers both inside and outside the Service could be challenged to improve the experiences of both staff and members of the public.

My two year project with the DSFRS included a collaborative co-creation and planning phase between myself, the D&I Officer and the Partnerships Officer, as well as representatives of front line staff groups and employee resource groups. I designed and presented the seminars and each one began and ended with a feedback collection phase, the data from which was used to inform changes to the presentation content style and the final findings that I presented to the Executive Board.

In more recent roles, I have supported delivery of focus groups and workshops; personally presented research to audiences of 150+ senior HRDs and HR professionals; and have led dozens of interviews with senior professionals within organisations ranging from Coca-Cola and Bupa to TfL and Public Health Wales.

You can read my full impact report on this particular project over on my website, here: https://www.mollybolding.com/consultancy/devon-and-somerset-fire-and-rescue-service