Equality and Diversity at FRESH.
Policy Scope
This policy applies to:
everyone who works for FRESH., including temporary and permanent employees, volunteers, freelance workers and / or contractors
everyone who takes part in FRESH. classes or workshops
visitors.
Our Aim
FRESH. is committed to promoting equal opportunity for all, and to ensuring that no individual is discriminated against in the planning and delivery of any of our classes and events. We therefore aim to ensure that the values of equality, diversity, and respect for all are embedded into everything that we do.
Our Policy
This policy is intended to demonstrate FRESH.’s commitment to eliminating discrimination and encouraging and valuing diversity. FRESH. aims to create an environment which respects and welcomes everyone, and in which no form of bullying, harassment, disrespectful or discriminatory behaviour is tolerated by anyone towards anyone. This particularly applies in relation to the ‘protected characteristics’ named in the Equality Act 2010: Age, disability, gender reassignment, income, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.
Our Commitments
FRESH. will seek to create an environment in which diversity and the contributions of all are recognised and valued in all that we do. In this way we hope to provide an example of good equality practice.
We will therefore support all involved with FRESH. to develop equalities awareness and understanding.
To ensure that we are meeting the aims of this policy we will:
Discuss and review how well we are implementing this policy, and adjust it where necessary
Ensure our employment practices and procedures are consistent with the aims of this policy
Provide mandatory training for all employees
Encourage clients & staff to use inclusive language
Include accessible entry points where possibly
Offer accessible communication where possible (eg phone calls, video calls, emails)
Have an open attitude to feedback
Our Actions
We treat all bullying, harassment and discriminatory incidents equally seriously and we will not tolerate these in any form. Incidents of prejudice-based bullying and harassment will be recorded and reported to the local authorities if necessary
We avoid language that runs the risk of limiting a client’s achievement or that seeks to define their potential as a person, such as ”less able”
We adapt our language to meet the communication needs of all clients
We are alert and proactive about the potentially damaging impact of negative language in matters such as race, gender, disability and sexuality
We provide support for individual clients to ensure they feel safe
Ensure we are warm and welcoming to all clients and their support network, no matter what their cultural background, age, race, gender, gender identity, special educational needs may be
We offer additional payment methods for those with low income streams
We work with staff and clients to ensure that the medical, cultural and dietary needs are met when necessary
Review and Action
A review of our Equality and Diversity Policy will be carried out on an annual basis as a minimum and any necessary actions taken.