Becoming a Dignity Champion

A Dignity Champion is someone who believes passionately that being treated with dignity is a basic human right, not an optional extra. They believe that care services must be compassionate, person centred, as well as efficient, and are willing to try to do something to achieve this.

'I have handed out Dignity Challenge Cards to all staff in my care home - each time we have a team meeting we focus on one of the 10 Dignity Challenges and discuss what we can do to meet that challenge. Each meeting results in us making
changes to the way we provide care'

Dignity Champions are willing to:

• stand up and challenge disrespectful behaviour rather than just tolerate it;
• act as good role models by treating other people with respect, particularly those who are less able to stand up for themselves;
• speak up about Dignity to improve the way that services are organised and delivered;
• influence and inform colleagues;
• listen to and understand the views and experiences of citizens.

Champions are all committed to taking action, however small, to create a care system that has compassion and respect for those using its services. Each Dignity Champion's role varies depending on their knowledge and influence and the type of work they are involved in. There are many small things that you can do that can have a big impact on people's lives, as well as taking on a more active role if you have the time to do so.

Dignity Champions include health and social care managers and frontline staff. They also include doctors, dieticians, porters, care workers in care homes, MPs, councillors, members of local action groups and Local Involvement Networks (LINks), and people from voluntary and advocacy organisations. People who use care services, their relatives and carers as well as members of the public are becoming Dignity Champions.

How do I sign up as a Dignity Champion?

• Sign up as a dignity champion here
• or telephone 0207 9724007

What can I do as a Dignity Champion?

• Use our 10 top tips in our Dignity Champion's Toolkit for Action
• Use our Google Map facility on the website to identify & contact other like-minded champions to network & potentially embark upon collaborative working
• Use our discuss & debate forum to post comments & get responses from a wide variety of dignity champions
• Request promotional materials to promote Dignity including posters, leaflets & cards by emailing dignityincare@dh.gsi.gov.uk
• Contact your Regional Dignity Lead for any support you may need in your local area implementing initiatives that will improve dignity. The contact details for your regional lead can be found in the 'In your area' section of the website
• Submit examples of Dignity Good Practice that you have tried & tested in your work place so other champions can learn from your experiences.
• Call or email the central campaign team with any questions at dignitychampions@dh.gsi.gov.uk or 0207 9724007

Find out:

What other champions are doing

What support is available

Why other people have signed up as champions

• Leaflet about the Dignity in Care Campaign and the role of Dignity Champions
  This leaflet can be downloaded locally and handed out to people wanting to know a bit more about the Dignity in Care Campaign and the role of Dignity Champions. N.B When printing out the leaflet; go...