EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY POLICY

This policy is based on best practice, legal advice, and Charity Commission guidance on the Equality Act 2010.  

We welcome and are committed to complying with the statutory requirements laid down in the Equalities Act 2010.  

It applies to all Partnership members, Volunteers, Employees, and Trustees.  

 

Our Equality and Diversity Statement  

We Recognise that we have moral and social responsibilities that go beyond the provisions of the above-mentioned Acts and Regulations, and that we should support and contribute to the wider process of change through all aspects of our work and practices to eliminate discrimination and promote equality and diversity. 

Whitleigh Big Local is open to anyone living in Whitleigh and to those who want to benefit the community of Whitleigh. We are committed to treating all people equally and with respect irrespective of their age, gender reassignment, sex, or sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership, adopted care status, race, religion or belief, learning ability, physical impairment, mental illness, HIV status, occupation, income, class, wealth, and unrelated criminal conviction.  

Our partnership exists to bring positive improvements to the neighbourhood of Whitleigh that will increase the quality of life for residents. We aim to create a supportive, collaborative, inclusive, resilient, and caring atmosphere that is safe and welcoming.  

We are committed to taking positive steps to ensure that: 

  • all people are treated with dignity and respect, valuing the diversity of all. 

  • equality of opportunity and diversity is promoted. 

  • services are accessible, appropriate and delivered fairly to all. 

  • the mix of its employees, volunteers and management committees reflects, as far as possible, the broad mix of the population of its local community. 

  •  traditionally disadvantaged sections of the community are encouraged to participate in policy decisions about, and the management of the services provided.  

Accessibility 

Whitleigh Big Local and Whitleigh Community Trust will find ways of making our activities and services accessible to everyone, including people for whom English is not a first language, people with visual or hearing impairments, people who cannot easily travel, and people with childcare / caring responsibilities.  

We will take all reasonable steps to ensure that our activities are carried out in places and premises which are accessible to people with mobility difficulties, including partnership meetings.  

We aim to: 

  • Provide services that are accessible according to need. 

  • Promote equality of opportunity and diversity in volunteering, employment and development. 

  • Create effective partnerships with all parts of our community. 

 Our Objectives 

Whitleigh Big Local and Whitleigh Community Trust objective is to realise these standards by: 

  • Regularly evaluating and continually improving its services to ensure equality and diversity principles and best practice are embedded in our work to meet the needs of individuals and groups; 

  • Working together with the community to provide accessible and relevant service provision that responds to needs; 

  • Ensuring staff, volunteers and trustees are representative of the community served and the employment policies are fair and robust; 

  • Responding to volunteer’s & employees’ needs and encouraging their development to increase their contribution to effective delivery of work 

  • Recognising and valuing the differences and individual contribution that all people make to The Charity; 

  • Challenging discrimination. 

  • Providing fair resource allocation. 

  • Being accountable 

 

Procedures 

Responsibility for implementation. 

This policy covers the behaviour of all people employed or volunteering in Whitleigh Big Local or Whitleigh Community Trust or using the services and sets out the way they can expect to be treated.    

The overall responsibility for ensuring adherence to and implementation of this policy lies with the Trustees, staff and the Partnership committee. 

Dealing with Complaints  

If anyone feels they have been discriminated against or harassed by a Trustee, Staff or Volunteer then the Whitleigh Big Local Whitleigh and Community Trust Complaints and Code of Conduct procedure will be activated. If anyone at one of our events or activities experiences discrimination or has been harassed then this will be investigated by the Community Development manager and appropriate action taken.