Trauma-Informed, Embodied Approaches to Social Justice and Inclusion
Together, we can explore the imperfections of being human and the inevitable mistakes we make, going beyond practice and policy. My aim is to work with self-compassion (and a bit of humour) to embrace the change we all desire, even when it feels messy and uncomfortable.
Derek Sankar
(He/Him) Cis Het Asian-Caribbean Disabled man
I bring nearly 40 years of passion for building inclusion and belonging, particularly working on anti-racism / anti-sexism, honing my skills through working with NHS Trusts, Stop Hate UK, Oxfam, Age UK, Advocacy Support, Advonet and many others.
Exploring Power + Privilege
I am a passionate explorer of how Power and Privilege show up in everyday interactions, embed in culture and internalise in our bodies. This can and does make the most robust inclusion practices, and zero tolerance policies obsolete.
Repairing Relationships
I use trauma-informed, somatic & relational approaches to dismantling Privilege, repairing relationships in the workplace and communities, increase safety and inclusion and build powerful ethical individuals, communities, and organisations.
What makes me different?
In my sessions we will centre race and gender, drawing upon my experiences of both sides of power and privilege and drawing on your experiences of both sides power and privilege
I extend a special invitation to white professionals and all white groups seeking to begin or deepen their understanding of power and privilege.
We will use trauma-aware somatic tools, compassion practices, group process, mindfulness and authentic relating.
This work can be overwhelming. Training sessions are deliberately slow and spacious, balancing the cognitive with the experiential, and with opportunities for grounding, connecting, questions and exploration.
The work explores highly sensitive and potentially trauma-triggering issues, so we will continually attend to grounding, moving away from overwhelm and seeking moments of joy, celebration and playfulness.
My offer is to work together with self-compassion (and a touch of humour) to understand why being human can be so messy and challenging.
My invitation to you:
Organisations
Imagine leading a workplace where every individual feels seen, valued, and empowered to thrive. Where mistakes are met with compassion and allyship flourishes. With nearly four decades of expertise in creating inclusive, courageous cultures, I’m here to help you turn that vision into reality - let's explore the journey together.
Practitioners + Therapists
Ready to create inclusive spaces where everyone feels seen and empowered? Worried about saying or doing the wrong thing with clients of colour? Join me to learn trauma-aware practices that deepen your skills and confidence, helping you navigate race, power, and privilege with compassion and courage.
People of Colour
You carry immense strength and resilience - now is the time to rest, restore, and reconnect with your true power. Join a supportive community where we honour each other’s stories, nurture our nervous systems to ease the weight of daily racism, and celebrate our collective joy, connection, and agency.
My work always begins with a free conversation to see if we are a good match.
Often, the best work starts when you know something is needed but you're not quite sure what.
Training feedback