Insights from Leading Mindfulness Organisations on How to Increase Inclusion

 

What does inclusion look like in practice? This panel brings together Stephanie Unthank-Latter (BAMBA) on culture and values as drivers of change, Paula Watson (YARDO) on ethical allyship to address economic exclusion and avoid the pitfalls of extractive partnerships, and Uz Afzal (Mindfulness Network for People of Colour, Teacher, Author) on creative, trauma-sensitive approaches for marginalised groups. Discussed within a framework of Context, Community, and Cushion: Context - Field perspective (BAMBA), Community - Convener perspective (YARDO), and Cushion - Practitioner perspective (MNPC). 

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Uz is a mindfulness teacher, trainer and author. Her book, ‘Mindfulness for Children’ (Octopus Publishing) has been translated into numerous languages. She is a member of the Mindfulness Network for People of Colour. MNPC is a mindfulness-based organisation and community for people of colour. 

 

Uz is a lead trainer at the UK mental health charity, Mind, where she was part of a team that developed a ground-breaking Radical Self-Care course (selected as finalists for the Mindfulness Initiative’s inaugural Innovation in Mindfulness Awards). Uz leads workshops on mindfulness, inclusion and EDI in a range of contexts and is known for her enthusiastic approach. She is particularly interested in welcoming all the intersecting aspects of people’s identities into mindfulness courses and to bringing creativity into her offerings as a way of uplifting marginalised communities and building connection, care and inclusiveness.

 

As a former Trustee of the Mindfulness Network, sitting on the EDI board, Uz played an important role in contributing to the inclusive nature of the International Conference on Mindfulness in Bangor last year. She is a trainer on the Freedom Together Global Mindfulness Teacher Training Programme.