RE:ACTION - ED&I Newsletter - Issue 01 - December 2022

Welcome to the first edition of RE:Action, our ED&I newsletter!

Every quarter we will bring you a new edition where you will be able to find relevant information such as an inclusivity calendar, a summary of past outreach activities and upcoming volunteering opportunities. We will also include an employee spotlight and recommended books, TV shows, or podcasts.

Each edition will focus on one main topic, this quarter we have chosen Men's Health With the main article we will also include relevant support contact details that you might wish to use

MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

I am delighted to be launching RE:Action, the new ED&I newsletter, and thankful to our brilliant editors, Ruta & Maria, for making this possible! As you hopefully know, Reaction Engines is committed to becoming a truly diverse and inclusive business, and everyone can play a role in making a positive difference.

I have enjoyed most of my career working in many different countries and cultures across the world, and have had the privilege to lead engineering for a genderbalanced joint venture company. These experiences have shaped me and given me the desire to drive changes that make our industry more inclusive, creative, and open to embracing differences. It is a long-term investment, not a quick return, but I’m pleased to see a new ED&I strategy, strong engagement across the business, and role models in our Company, which will help propel us on this journey. The following phrase, which was shared with me long ago, sums this up:

“A place becomes inclusive by including. It’s about being friendly, being welcoming. It’s about listening with interest to someone else’s experiences, without dismissing or judging them. That is the attitude we should have with everyone who is different from us. Treat the people in front of you as the diverse and extraordinary human beings that they are."

MARK THOMAS

MEN'S HEALTH

Last month, you may have seen an increased number of people walking around town showing off their impressive moustaches, in support of the 'Movember' or 'No-shave-November' movements. But apart from having sustainable facial warmers, do we really know what this movement is all about?

According to a non-profit organisation called ‘Movember Foundation,’ this initiative started in 2003 in Australia to raise awareness for prostate and testicular cancer. The initiative originally suggested growing out a moustache (although you can see nowadays people growing all types of beards too!). By changing their appearance, they are encouraging questions as to why they are growing a beard/moustache and thus can start a conversation about men's health as well as encourage donations to Movember related charities.

Movember has gained momentum over the years and has expanded to support men's mental health and fitness too. In a similar manner, another movement called 'No-shave-November' invites absolutely everyone to skip on their hair grooming practices - whether its shaving legs, waxing, barber visit, doesn't matter! - and instead, donate what you would normally spend on these services to cancer research of any type.

Since 2003, Movember has supported more than 1,250 men’s health projects around the world and the fundraising doesn't stop when the moustache is shaved off. Visit h // k b / d b h ojects it supports ealth throughout

you to everyone ew a moustache little helps!

h webinar last recording, along

UK Charities

Men's Mental Health Charity 'Menup?'manup how

Prostate Cancer Charityprostatecanceruk org

Testicular Cancer Charitytheoddballsfoundation com US Charities

Men's Mental Health Charityfaceitfoundation org

Prostate Cancer Foundationpcf.org

Testicular Cancer Charitiestesticularcancersociety.org & testicularcancerawarenessfoundation org

Movember Charityex movember com

OUTREACH EVENTS

In the last 2 months Reaction has been incredibly busy with outreach events Thank you to everybody who was involved in making these 8 events possible:

STEM Visit at Culham BIS Space Day

University of Birmingham Careers Fair Aspirations Evening at The Royal Latin School IF Oxford Space Day University of Manchester Careers Day RAeS Careers in Aerospace and Aviation Aylesbury High School All Girls Careers Fair

UPCOMING EVENTS

Wehave2outreachopportunitiesinthenearfutureif youwouldliketogetinvolved:

BucksSkillsShowinMarch-Skillsfairaimedatyoung peopleaged14-19,teachers,parentandcarers,and individualslookingforacareerchange Please contactEventsMarketingAssociate,AbbeyLawsonat abbey.lawson@reactionengines.co.uktovolunteer.

FirstLegoLeagueChallenge-ThisisaSTEM competitionfor9-16yearoldswheretheyaimto solverealworldchallengeswithLego!Childrenwork ingroupstoresearchachosentopic(thisyear's themeisEnergy)anddesignaLegorobotthatmust autonomouslycompletemissionsandcompete againstotherteams.RefertotheStellarpostfor informationandhowtoregister.

Ifyouwouldliketoparticipateinmoreoutreachevents tohelpinspirefuturetalent,pleasecontactEvents MarketingAssociate,AbbeyLawsonat abbey.lawson@reactionengines.co.uk

ED&I AMBASSADORS

As part of the ED&I Strategy, a new initiative of “ED&I Ambassadors” will be introduced in early 2023. This initiative is intended to give everyone across the business the opportunity to create a more inclusive environment by sharing research, insights, and their lived experiences. Keep an eye on Stellar for further information

Many thanks, Sam Fox and Yashi Kuplish!

sion is to have a diverse and reas of the business, who bel y of opportunity, is respected with everyone treated fairly and consiste

At Reaction Engines, we believe in authe strive to ensure that the actions we take

We are informed & aware. We learn fro take an active approach in challenging n

We are curious & respectful. We listen demonstrate empathy We promote an o considerate and inclusive dialogue

We are supportive & innovative. We recognise the value of different viewpoints and encourage diversity of thought in all that we do We advocate for others We value continuous improvement

We are seen & involved. Our door is open to all people, reflecting the diversity of the society in which we live. We believe that everyone has the potential to be the best person for the job and we recognise that action is necessary to address inequality.

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

MARIA FANCARIA

"I've been at REL for 2 years and just finished the Grad Scheme I am now a Mechanical Design Engineer working in AT. I was born and raised in Portugal and, before moving to the UK, I studied and worked in the Netherlands and Germany. I am passionate about ED&I because I know what it is like to have to integrate in a new culture and life and communicate in a language that is not my own and feeling like sometimes people forget the added challenges that we face. I have always felt welcome at REL, but I believe we still can improve and truly become an inclusive company."

RUTA MARCINKEVICIU

"I have been working as a Graduate Engineer at REL for 1 year and have immensely enjoyed my first two rotations in SAPA and S&T functions. I came to the UK from Lithuania in 2016 to study a Bachelor’s & Master’s. Being a female (student) engineer I had to get used to often being the only woman in the room and having to prove my intellectual abilities before I was taken seriously. Nevertheless, there were many encouraging experiences both in my academic and professional careers which gave me confidence to pursue my aspiration to become an Engineer. I am motivated to be part of the ED&I committee as it gives me a chance to create positive experiences for others and contribute to everyone feeling empowered to not only be themselves but to exceed their own and other peoples’ expectations."

CLAIRE FARROW

BUILDING BLOCKS

HARLIE ALSWORTH

ED&I can all be a bit confusing and feel overwhelming There is lots of jargon and the last thing any of us want to happen is to offend somebody by asking the wrong question That is where building blocks is here to help! In this monthly section, I will try to explain a topic that perhaps you have heard or seen, but are unsure of the meaning behind it to help us learn and build our knowledge together

LGBTQIA+

This month I wanted to breakdown this acronym which I am sure you have all seen before LGBTQIA+ is an inclusive term that represents the diversity of gender and sexual orientation that exists The acronym and definitions are often changing and evolving and can mean different things to different people, and while not everyone's sexuality or gender identity can be captured through labels, knowing what LGBTQIA+ stands for and which communities it represents is key to identity and expression, as well as awareness

is for Lesbian A woman whose primary sexual and affectionate orientation is towards another woman

is for Gay A sexual and affectionate orientation towards people of the same gender Used as a term predominantly for men, but can be used for men and women

is for Bisexual. A sexual and affectionate orientation towards people of the same and opposite gender, or towards people regardless of gender.

is for Transgender Someone who identifies as the opposite gender and sex to which they were assigned at birth

is for Queer. An umbrella term for someone that doesn't identify specifically with any sexual orientation.

is for Intersex. Someone who doesn't identify with or has physical characteristics that don't align with just one gender

is for Asexual. A person who feels no sexual attraction within or outside of a relationship. Some asexual people do have sex.

is for all other sexual orientations and gender identities, for example, non-binary, genderfluid, pansexual

The acronym has been evolving since the 1980s, where it began as Gay and Lesbian. In the late 80's the B started to be included and was officially recognised in the early 90's. In the early 00's the T was also becoming commonly used in the acronym, which continues to grow, with the addition of the + symbol and Q, I and A in the 10's. The acronym is a great reflection of the continued growth and diversity of the community.

INCLUSION CALENDAR

DECEMBER

2nd-InternationalDayfortheAbolitionofSlavery

2nd-ElfDay-AfestivefundraiserfortheAlzheimer'sSocietydesignedtogetyouinthefestivespiritwhilstraising moneytohelpbeatdementia.Unleashyourinnerelfbydressingup-asmuchoraslittleasyoulike.

3rd-InternationalDayofPeoplewithDisabilities

8th-BodhiDay(Buddhism)-BodhiDaycommemoratesthedaythatGautamaBuddha(Shakyamuni)issaidtohave attainedenlightenment,alsoknownasbodhiinSanskritandPali. 10th-HumanRightsDay 18th-InternationalMigrantsDay 18thto26th-Hanukkah(Judaism) 20th-HumanSolidarityDay 23rd-KisanDiwas-Thisdayaimstopromoteawarenessoftheimportanceoffarmersandtheirvaluablecontribution totheoverallsocialandeconomicdevelopmentofIndia 25th-ChristmasDay(Christian) 26thDecto1stJan-Kwanzaa-KwanzaaisanannualcelebrationofAfricanheritage

JANUARY

4th-WorldBrailleDay 7th-FeastoftheNativity(OrthodoxChristian) 14th-NewYear(OrthodoxChristian) 14th-MakarSankranti(Hindu)-DedicatedtotheHindureligioussungodSurya. 17th-TuB’Shvat(Judaism)-Ecologicalawarenessdaywhentreesareplantedincelebration 17th-MartinLutherKingJnrDay

20th-BirthdayofGuruGobindSingh(Sikh)-GuruGobindSinghwasthelastofthetenGurus,theonewho transformedtheSikhfaith 22nd-Chinese(Lunar)NewYear 25th-BurnsNight-ThebirthdayofScotland'snationalpoetRobertBurns,celebratedwithaBurn'sNightSupper 27th-HolocaustMemorialDay 30th-MahayanaNewYear(Buddhism)

FEBRUARY

2nd-RheumatoidArthritisAwarenessDay

4th-WorldCancerDay 8th-SaferInternetDay 11th-WorldDayoftheSick 11th-InternationalDayofWomenandGirlsinScience

14th-StValentinesDay 21st-InternationalMotherLanguageDay 28th-NationalScienceDay 28th-RareDiseaseDay

ED&I RECOMMENDATIONS

Each month we plan to recommend ED&I content which may help our understanding and empathy These may be books, films, TV shows, or podcasts, and they may relate to any subject, including LGBTQIA+, race, disability, mental health, or gender

We hope you can find time to enjoy some of this incredible work and support something a little different

BOOK TV

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb

A memoir by psychotherapist and author Lori Gottlieb. For anyone who is considering going to therapy, but is nervous to talk with someone.

Heartstopper - Netflix TV

Love meets doubt. Fear meets joy. Boy meets boy. Heartstopper is an uplifting LGBTQIA+ drama about life, love and everything in between

SUPPORT CONTACTS & INFORMATION

Call 0300 123 3393

Advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem.

Call 116 123

Confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing distress, despair, or suicidal thoughts.

Text 85258

24/7 for anyone in crisis, struggling to cope and needing immediate help.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME

Call 0808 8010327

Confidential helpline for male victims of domestic abuse and those supporting them.

Free and confidential service for employees to help you with a wide range of work, family and personal issues, including but not limited to stress & anxiety, bereavement, relationship advice, housing concerns, financial wellbeing, legal information, alcohol & drug issues, childcare support and many more

Access the EAP at healthassuredeap co uk Username: Wellbeing Password: GrowPickCalm1

Download the "My Healthy Advantage" app Employer code: MHA162329

Freephone: 0800 028 0199

FEEDBACK

Knowledge is power, and together we can be powerful!

If you have any feedback on this newsletter, good or bad, we would like to listen and improve. This could be a question you have but are too afraid to ask, a topic you would like us to cover, a personal experience you want to share, or even a book or tv recommendation! We would love to hear it.

Simply write down your feedback on the below form, cut it out and pop it in the feedback box outside HR. You can keep it anonymous, or write your name, whatever you prefer, and we will do our best to answer you question or address your feedback.

Thank you,

The ED&I Team