Inclusion Policy
Introduction
For the purposes of this policy ‘inclusion’ means access for all. It means recognising differences between individuals / groups and providing opportunities for them to participate in running regardless of those differences, whether this is as a participant, coach, leader, official or volunteer.
Leigh-on-Sea Striders embraces diversity and difference and is committed to providing opportunities that are safe, inclusive, accessible and equitable. We want our club to be equally accessible to all members of society, whatever their age, disability, gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality or social/economic status.
We will develop a focus on inclusion, not exclusion, and ensure that we provide appropriate advice to members and volunteers to ensure that everyone can participate as fully as possible.
The Inclusion Policy is intended to promote a change in attitudes and perceptions and to improve opportunities for everyone to participate at our club.
We will seek to ensure that we comply with the Equality Act 2010 and the characteristics protected by it (age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership and pregnancy and maternity) and encourage our members to do so. We will seek to include everyone regardless of whether they have a protected characteristic or not.
Our aim is to provide an environment where everyone feels:
- Welcome
- Represented
- Able to participate
- Safe and free from discrimination, bullying, harassment and vilification
Aims
The aims of the Inclusion Policy are:
- To promote the development of knowledge and understanding of disability, equity and inclusion amongst our participants, leaders/coaches, committee members, volunteers and competition/event organisers. To guide and support the integration of inclusive practice into our core club programmes and activities
- To promote inclusion within Running wherever possible and in accordance with the provisions of the Equality Act
- To adopt inclusive practice within our training sessions and events
- To promote working partnerships with relevant groups and organisations to support the development of inclusive practice within our club
Commitment
We will:
- Not tolerate discrimination, harassment, bullying or victimisation
- Consult with other organisations when appropriate to facilitate inclusive practices and remove barriers to participation
- Ensure under-represented groups are given the opportunity to participate in all aspects of our club
- Provide appropriate opportunities for all in coaching, officiating and leadership positions
There are a number of measures that we will take to ensure that we are working under the guidance of the Policy and within the requirements of the Equality Act (2010).
We will provide a welcoming environment
- We will think positively about how we can include people rather than focusing on potential barriers to participation
- We will consider the accessibility of how our club is promoted. For example, by providing information via direct email to all members, our Leigh-on-Sea Striders Facebook page and our club website: www.leighonseastriders.co.uk
- We will encourage people to contact us to discuss their needs and requirements to facilitate inclusion and we will ensure we consider what reasonable adjustments could be made to enable them to participate
- We will develop the knowledge and understanding of key committee members, officials, coaches, run leaders and other volunteers, of disability, equity and inclusive practice by providing appropriate guidance
We will talk to people
- We will, so far as is reasonably possible, consult with relevant groups and with prospective individuals about their needs and requirements
- We will not make assumptions, but will ask people to speak with us about the reasonable adjustments they believe might be made to enable them to participate and to discuss how these could be made
We will make reasonable adjustments
- We will demonstrate that every effort has been made to enable everyone to participate and that inclusion not exclusion has been the priority
- If reasonable adjustments are required to make an event/activity accessible, then we will make those reasonable adjustments
This policy should be read in conjunction with the following other policies: