Diversity, equity and inclusion policy

Introduction

Talk2Nish Peer Mentors is committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion among our workforce, volunteers and Trustees and to eliminating unlawful discrimination in line with the Equality Act 2010. The aim is for our workforce, volunteers and Trustees to be representative of different communities in UK society, and for each person working with Talk2Nish Peer Mentors to feel respected and able to give their best. The organisation is also committed to opposing unlawful discrimination against those it works with or members of the public.

Talk2Nish Peer Mentors will take 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;

• our training acknowledges the ways in which bias and discrimination might impact the mental health of the students we work with

• 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. 

The policy

This policy applies to all Trustees, staff, volunteers, users and the general public. 

Commitment 

• Equality and diversity are central to the work of Talk2Nish Peer Mentors. 

• We will treat all people with dignity and respect, valuing the diversity of all. 

• We will promote equality of opportunity and diversity. 

• We will eliminate all forms of discrimination on grounds of any of the protected characteristics listed in the Equality Act, or other characteristics irrelevant to the purpose in view. 

• We will tackle social exclusion, inequality, discrimination and disadvantage. 

For this policy to be successful, it is essential that everyone is committed to and involved in its delivery. Talk2Nish Peer Mentors’ goal is to work towards a just society free from discrimination, harassment and prejudice. We aim to embed this in all our policies, procedures, day-to-day practices and external relationships. 

Aims 

Talk2Nish Peer Mentors aims 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. 

Objectives 

Talk2Nish Peer Mentors’ objective is to realise its standards by: 

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

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

• Recognising and valuing the differences and individual contribution that all people make to Talk2Nish Peer Mentors; 

• Challenging discrimination; 

• Providing fair resource allocation; 

• Being accountable. 

Why have this policy? 

Talk2Nish Peer Mentors recognises, respects and values diversity in its Trustees, employees, volunteers and service users. We have this policy because we are a people-led organisation and must always ensure we meet the needs of the community through fair and appropriate employment and development of the people who work and volunteer for us.

Procedures

Responsibility for implementation 

This policy covers the behaviour of all people employed or volunteering in Talk2Nish Peer Mentors or using the services and sets out the way they can expect to be treated in turn by us. 

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

Method of implementation 

Talk2Nish Peer Mentors intends to implement this policy by: 

• Ensuring that it is a condition of paid employment at the charity; 

• Ensuring that Trustees, Management committee, volunteers and users are made aware, understand, agree with, and are willing to implement this policy. All staff and volunteers will be given a copy of this policy as part of their induction; 

• Actively encouraging Trustees, staff, management committee and volunteers to participate in anti-discriminatory training, and making time and resources available for such training;  

• Monitoring the services, publicity and events provided by Talk2Nish Peer Mentors, to ensure that they are accessible to all sections of the population and do not discriminate, and taking active steps to ensure that participation is representative. 

Monitoring and reviewing 

Talk2Nish Peer Mentors has declared its commitment to establishing, developing, implementing and reviewing a policy of equality of opportunity. Effective record keeping and monitoring, and acting on information gathered, are essential in order to measure effectiveness and plan progress. The policy will be reviewed annually.