Inclusion & Diversity Policy
 

Date:                 January 2024
Next review:    April 2025 or earlier if there is a material change in guidance from England Athletics

Introduction

York Postal Harriers embraces diversity and difference and is committed to providing opportunities that are safe, inclusive, accessible, and equitable. We want our club to be accessible to all members of society, whatever their age, disability, gender, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, 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 positive attitudes and perceptions and to support opportunities for everyone to participate at our club. 

We will seek to comply with the Equality Act 2010 where relevant to the club’s activities and with 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 we will 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 
• Included in decision making 
• Safe and free from discrimination, bullying and harassment. 

Aims 
The aims of the Inclusion Policy are: 
1. To promote the understanding of disability, equity and inclusion amongst our participants, coaches, volunteers and officials by the provision of appropriate guidance and training. 
2. To guide and support the integration of inclusive practice into our core activities. 

Commitment
We will: 
1. Not tolerate discrimination, harassment, bullying or victimisation. 
2. Identify and reduce barriers to participation for under-represented groups. 
3. Where appropriate, consult with expert partners and other organisations to facilitate inclusive practices and remove barriers to participation. 
4. Provide opportunities for all in coaching, officiating and leadership positions. 

What we will do to ensure that we are working under the guidance of this policy and of the Equality Act 2010:
1. We will provide a welcoming environment 
2. We will think positively about how we can include people rather than focusing on potential barriers to participation. 
3. We will consider how our club is promoted. For example, by providing information in accessible formats and by using appropriate imagery. 
4. We will welcome people contacting 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. 
5. We will develop the knowledge and understanding of key officials, coaches and other volunteers, of disability, equity and inclusive practice by providing appropriate guidance and training. 
6. We will talk to people 
7. We will, so far as is reasonably possible, consult with relevant groups and with individuals about their needs and requirements. 
8. We will not make assumptions and will try to speak to people about the reasonable adjustments they believe might be made to enable them to participate and to discuss how these could be made. 
9. We will make reasonable adjustments 
10. We will demonstrate that every effort has been, or will be, made to enable everyone to participate and that inclusion not exclusion has been the priority. 
11. If reasonable adjustments are required to make an event/activity accessible, then we will make those reasonable adjustments.