Getting Into Inclusivity

By James Vivian

Hot topic at JV HQ this year has been inclusivity. And that’s not because it hadn’t been before, or that it wasn’t at the forefront of how we do business and how to communicate this to the world, it is a hot topic because of our recent opportunity to discuss this very important topic at ABIC’s Elevate conference in February.

The invitation to speak on behalf of inclusivity was one that I didn’t take lightly. When I was expressing my nervousness to a colleague earlier in that day, they said ‘You’ll be fine. Just wing it’. But as I prefaced my presentation as I looked out at my peers, ready to share my inclusivity journey, inclusivity is not something that you wing.

When I was a child, I was bullied at school. Day after day, term after term, year after year. These experiences at school, whilst traumatising and debilitating at the time, have afforded me an opportunity as an adult – a superpower if you will – and it’s called empathy. And it’s one that I think, as therapists, we share in common.

At JV, the words printed on our shop front are:

James Vivian loves skins of all colours, ages, genders, cultures and religions.

These words are echoed on our website, email signature and social media. So, when ABIC reached out to ask me to share our inclusivity practices, whilst I automatically felt scared and exposed to share how we strive for inclusivity in our little clinic, I knew that if I wanted to print those words for the world to see, then I needed to be there to lead the conversation.

Since ABIC’s Elevate conference, I have been speaking to colleagues across a wide cross-section of our industry on the topic of inclusivity and I am so grateful to ABIC for starting the conversation as the only way we are going to improve in this area and to be an industry that achieves what it was first set out to do – to make people feel comfortable and create a safe space – is to support one another around this very important topic of inclusivity.

I believe that for some people inclusivity comes naturally so I encourage you all to tap into your own experiences of facing diversity to begin to come at inclusivity from helping ensure people never feel like we felt – sad, lonely, scared, or excluded. And if you’re lucky enough to have not been in such vulnerable contexts, then tap into your friends and family and listen and learn about how they have felt when they’ve felt excluded.

Striving for inclusivity is a journey that for many of us has already begun and may be in full flight, or you may have just dipped your toe in, or yours may not have begun as yet. Regardless, it kicks off when you’re ready to look deeply into yourself and your business and think…

‘Am I being inclusive?’

‘Do I want to be inclusive?’

‘What can I do to be more inclusive?’

I shared some of the inclusive practices that we have incorporated into our business. Some of these may be familiar to you already but I warmly welcome any feedback from you on how we can better our inclusivity practices. I would also love to hear from anyone who would like to discuss their journey of inclusivity and how we can support one another.

There is no right or wrong way to express inclusivity as long as you are expressing it. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, review and try again. If this is all making you feel a little uncomfortable, then it’s possible that you need these tips more than anyone, because if you’re feeling uncomfortable, then chances are that there are people who visit you for treatments, or who don’t visit you but who wanted to, that feel just as uncomfortable, if not more.

Gender

You can never assume who is going to walk into your business, but you can always ask. Consider including a question asking for your client's preferred pronouns so you can always welcome them as they prefer and make them feel comfortable.

Better yet, consider removing gender from your conversations to avoid a risk of misgendering by using people’s names.

When conversing with clients about people in their lives, consider ‘What’s their profession?’ and ‘Would they like to book in for a treatment, too?’ This works for both gender and sexuality, another variable you can never assume.

Sexuality

As per above, consider ‘What’s your partner’s name?’ or ‘Who lives at home with you?’. I especially love this one as it avoids the question of ‘Do you have children’ which can be fraught with danger.

Race

As therapists, it is often essential that we learn the heritage of our clients so that we can treat their skin safely and accordingly. For some, their ancestry can be a sensitive topic so enquire gently, once you have ascertained their heritage, with a question such as ‘Have you spent any time there?’. They may have been born there or they may have been born in the same hospitable as you.

Accessibility

Creating a space that your clients can move safely and comfortably can be a reflection of inclusivity practices, such as wheelchair access, bathroom accessibility, comfortable and sturdy furniture and treatment beds. Consider people of all shapes and sizes to ensure you are creating a safe environment once your client arrives.

Budget

Although sometimes difficult, expressing inclusivity through price point can be a positive inclusivity experience for both client and therapist/business. More now than ever some clients rely on accessing our industry without breaking the bank, so a service and homecare offering that can speak to an array of budgets can assist in more client bookings and more happy skins and clients.

I believe that inclusivity starts at home. With the people you surround yourself with, your Team, your friends, with the way you speak, the words you write, and the images that you post on social media. It starts with the education you have received on working with different skin types, ages, concerns and skin tones and the machinery and skincare you have selected to treat a wide range of skins.

Every interaction is an opportunity to connect or disconnect from someone, even a potential client. It’s also an opportunity to make someone feel included or excluded. Let’s aim for the former and for being an industry that exudes inclusivity. Can’t wait to see what you come up with.

@jamesvivian