Statement of Commitment
Ampthill and District Preservation Society (hereafter name as the Society) is committed to a policy of equal opportunities and aims to ensure that no member or volunteer is treated less favourably on grounds of age, sex, marriage and civil partnership, gender reassignment, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief, pregnancy and maternity. These are known as Protected Characteristics.
Any behaviour, comments or attitudes that undermine or threaten an individual’s self- esteem on these grounds are not acceptable. We aim to provide equal access to the opportunities provided by the Society and to ensure that everyone feels that they are a valued member of it. We seek to provide a safe and happy environment where all can flourish and where diversity is celebrated. It is recognised all members have a crucial role in delivering the objectives of this policy.
Aims and Objectives
The Society, through its adopted Equal Opportunities Policy, aims to:
- carry out its legal duty in complying with the Equality Act 2010;
- promote equality of opportunity in all areas of the Society’s work and structure and will take positive action in the areas of volunteering, representation, membership and service provision;
- provide an environment where all volunteers, members and service users are valued and respected and where discrimination and harassment are not tolerated.
Definitions
- ‘Equality’ means understanding and seeking to remove the different barriers to equal opportunities for different groups of people.
- `Discrimination’ is acting unfairly against a group or individual through actions such as exclusion, verbal comment, denigration, harassment, victimisation, a failure to appreciate needs or the assumption of such needs without consultation.
- The term `disability’ applies to a person who has a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out their normal day-to-day activities.
- `Race’ includes ethnic or national origins, colour or nationality.
The Equality Act 2010 is the statute replacing previous anti-discrimination laws. It applies to all organisations that provide a service to the public, sell goods or provide facilities, irrespective of whether they charge for them.
(Further information on The Equality Act 2010 can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/equality-act-2010-guidance)
Implementation
- It is the responsibility of Ampthill and District Preservation Society committee to implement this policy, and to review it annually.
- Volunteers, members, committee members and service users have a duty to co-operate with the Society to ensure that this policy is effective in ensuring equal opportunities and in preventing discrimination in all forms. They should draw the attention of a member of the committee to suspected discriminatory acts or practices or cases of bullying or harassment.
- The Society will ensure that the users of this policy are made aware of its contents and responsibilities by presenting it in a suitable form, offering an accessible copy where appropriate.
- All facilitators contracted to work for the Society will be required to support our Equal Opportunities Policy.
- Copies of this policy will be freely available to volunteers, members and any other interested parties. A copy will be placed on our website.
POLICY DATED: 25th July 2024 REVIEW DATE : July 2026