Recent reflections from Apeksha

With SouthAsianHeritageMonth coming to a close, I’m reflecting on some advice. As a South Asian Woman in the rail industry (who is actually an introvert and prefers not to be in the limelight) I’ve been reminded, after not doing my own posts about anything below, that I should do so to be more visible. It may also give hope to others that they could also be involved. Also, if my Dad was still with us, he would have loved to share all I’ve mentioned below. You can read more in the Rail Unites for Inclusion – RUI Roundup newsletter on Railunites.org – https://lnkd.in/ertQhVE8 

I’ve been lucky this year. I've attended a Royal Garden Party thanks to an invite from Sonia L Hazel who I nominated, alongside Carter Goodby from our RUI leadership team for their BEMs, for the sterling work they do on our RUI leadership team and across the industry. I met the Duke of Edinburgh at the Duke of Edinburgh 70th anniversary Parliamentary reception on 13 July. I told him about the Rail Youth Promise (RYP) which I’ve co-founded alongside Odis Palmer and Judith Ibukunlayo with the drive and support of one of our RYP and RUI Co-Sponsors, the amazing @Ruth Busby. Ruth was one of our panel members at a RUI hashtag#NationalInclusionWeek event in September last year which we co-hosted with our partners Youth Futures Foundation (YFF). Ruth alongside inspiring young people was on a panel with Baggy Shanker MP and since that event, we’ve been working with Ruth to develop RYP with fabulous people.

We were pleased that Baggy joined us at our own RYP Parliamentary Launch event on 15 July which I had the opportunity to organise with some brilliant people (see comments). We were honoured to have speakers like the Rt Honourable Baroness Jacqui Smith, Alex Hynes and some inspiring young people including @Megan Busby @Madison, Ruby, Richard, Romario Shireen, Razeenah and Natasha. Some of them have even joined RUI and the RYP Forum, which I Chaired meetings for this week too. 

The launch was opened by 3 of our sponsors Ruth Busby (who will be handing over to @Emma Pickard when she sadly leaves the rail industry), Paul Marshall and Rob Mullen and we missed our Co-Sponsor - Tricia Williams who was enjoying her son’s graduation.

It was lovely to catchup with Rob Mullen and Tricia Williams at the Parliamentary Summer reception for The Purpose Coalition, one of our magnificent 7 key partners of the Rail Industry Social Mobility Programme alongside YFF and the other 5 mentioned in the comments below. Was good to see Baroness Smith and Rt Hon. Justine Greening at the event. Appreciated Justine’s great advice for RYP and the Rail Industry Social Mobility Programme which are both very aligned and amongst their ambitions will help tackle the challenge in the UK of more than 1 million young people between 16 - 24, not earning or learning. 

Amazing people are involved in the above, if you aren’t already involved, what’s stopping you? Join us to make a difference.