What is Black History Month in the UK?

Every October, the UK celebrates Black History Month – a time to recognise the heritage, achievements and contributions of Black people across society. This year’s theme, “Standing Firm in Power and Pride”, focuses on confidence, identity and leadership. It invites us to reflect on the legacy of Black excellence and to take real, practical action that supports inclusion across our workplaces.

How can I celebrate Black History Month at my NHS organisation?

You don’t need a big event to make a big impact. Small, visible actions can go a long way:

• Share weekly stories of Black leaders in health, finance or public service – a quick post or slide in a team meeting.
• Use your team’s communications (newsletter, intranet, digital screens) to place a “Did you know?” style fact-snippet each week about a Black historical figure or current trail-blazer linked to healthcare or finance.
• Add “Did You Know?” facts about Black contributions to healthcare in your emails or newsletters.
• Create a themed reflection prompt: for example, “In what ways can our finance processes support equity in the NHS?” Use this in a team huddle or as part of a digital discussion board.
• Connect: link in with your organisation’s Race Equality or Black Staff Network for a joint post or feature.
• Utilise One NHS Finance: Think about sharing and reviewing existing resources, networks, events. There is further information below.
• Curate a short, easy-access list of resources (articles, podcasts, videos) that team members can explore on their own time — perhaps over lunch or while commuting.
• Encourage personal reflection or paired-sharing: ask each team member to think of one action they could take in the next quarter to promote inclusion in their finance role, then share it (voluntarily) in a team forum.
• Ensure representation: highlight the contributions of Black finance colleagues (within the NHS) with their permission — this affirms both role models and visibility.

These actions keep the month present in daily work and show that inclusion is part of how we do finance.

How can I get involved in Race Equality in NHS Finance?

Race equality isn’t a one-month focus — it’s an everyday commitment. You can:

• Join or support your Race Equality or EDI staff network.
• Review how diversity and inclusion appear in your finance data, procurement or workforce plans.
• Be a champion for inclusion — ask equity questions in finance meetings or planning sessions.
• Share or mentor — small actions help shift culture across teams.
• Become a One NHS Finance Inclusion and Diversity Ambassador.

Black History Month is just one moment in the year — but the learning and reflection it inspires can last all year round. Here are some quick ways to deepen your understanding and keep the conversation going across NHS finance.

📖 Read

• NHS Employers – Supporting Black History Month 2025
  Learn more about the activities taking place and what action you can take to improve race equality.
• The Black Pioneers Who Built the NHS – BBC News
  Discover the remarkable contribution of Black nurses and doctors who helped shape the NHS we know today.
• The King’s Fund
  Explore how inclusive leadership drives better decision-making and fairer outcomes across healthcare and finance.
• South West Census 
  Learn about how diverse our NHS finance function in the South West is, including reflections on race diversity. You can also read the 2024 NHS Finance census to look at the national picture.

🎧 Listen

• NHS Race and Health Observatory Podcast – listen to a podcast episode that focuses on health inequalities and race.

💬 Reflect

Take five minutes to ask yourself and your team:

• How can our financial decisions support equity across the NHS?
• What does inclusive leadership look like in our finance roles?
• How will we carry this learning forward after October?