Equality and Diversity Policy

We aim to create a safe and welcoming atmosphere for everyone. We want to challenge all forms of oppression including those based on race, ethnicity, nationality, creed, gender, sex, class, sexuality, gender reassignment, learning ability, physical impairment, mental illness, medical health, age, occupation, income, wealth and unrelated criminal conviction. We aim to design our activities, services and decision-making processes specifically to encourage and support participation from people who face disadvantage in society, including women, BME people, disabled people, LGBTQ people, and people on low incomes.

Wild About Bath Equality and Diversity Policy

Aims

Wild About Bath is open to anyone who lives in Monkton Combe, Combe Down, South Stoke or the surrounding area and who support the aims of Wild about Bath.

We aim to:

• Encourage people in the Bath area to appreciate nature.
• Promote recreational and educational natural history activities among the local community.
• Conserve and protect local wildlife.
• Build and strengthen our community ties.

In particular, we aim to treat every member equally, regardless of their age, mental or physical health, gender, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, or race.  Although Wild About Bath is founded on Christian principles and values, we will not discriminate against those from other or no faiths, and all are welcome to join us.

Accessibility

We aim to provide a variety of events to ensure accessibility for a number of different abilities. While some events (e.g. walking events) may not be accessible for wheelchair users, we shall endeavour to provide other events that are suitable. When there are more than 40 people at an indoor event, we aim to use a PA system and a hearing loop.

We are committed to ensuring any member of Wild About Bath is able to attend our activities, so we will reassess our access requirements to meet the needs of new members on request.

Diversity

Wild About Bath is committed to strengthening community ties. We aim to organise a range of events and activities to suit the interests and meet the needs of a wide variety of people.

The Association should be open to new ideas, and particularly prioritise opportunities for members to share their cultural heritage with one another.

Inclusion and respect

Every member of Wild About Bath should be made to feel equally welcome and included at all Wild About Bath meetings and events.

As a commitment to remaining inclusive to people from all economic backgrounds, we do not charge a fee to become a member of Wild About Bath or to attend any of our events.  On occasion (e.g., for children’s events where there is a large outlay on equipment) we may ask for donations on an anonymous ‘pay-as-you-feel’ basis only.

Sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic or otherwise offensive and inflammatory remarks and behaviour are not acceptable. These constitute harassment and have no place in the group. Anyone behaving in an offensive way or breaking the equal opportunities policy may be asked not to attend further events and/or be removed from our social media account/s.

Dealing with discrimination and harassment

If any member feels they have been discriminated against by Wild About Bath, harassed at an event or via any of our related social media profiles, they should raise this with the Committee.

The Committee will investigate the complaint, listening to all members involved. If the complaint is against a committee member, that member will not be part of conducting the investigation.

If the complaint is against a particular individual, this person will have the opportunity to express their point of view, accompanied by a friend. The person making the complaint will also have this opportunity.

If the complaint is upheld against Wild About Bath as a whole, the Committee must work to ensure that such discrimination is not repeated in the future and must inform the members of how they propose to do this.

Any decision to exclude a person from the organisation due to discriminatory or harassing behaviour will be made with reference to our constitution. Wild About Bath will support people who feel they have been harassed or discriminated against and will not victimise or treat them less well because they have raised this.

This policy was adopted at the Committee Meeting of Wild About Bath on 25/04/2023 and will be reviewed at least every 2 years.

Signed: Sue Monk, Events Coordinator

Signed: Simon Stuart, Treasurer