Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy

 

Meals & More:

ACCEPTS that in society certain groups or individuals are denied equality on the grounds of race, gender, marital status, caring responsibilities, disability, gender re-assignment, age, social class, sexual orientation and religion/belief or any other factor irrelevant to the purpose in view.

WELCOMES the statutory requirements laid down in the Equalities Act 2010 and is committed to complying with the Equalities Act 2010 with such other Acts and statutory requirements furthering equality of opportunity for all as also apply to its charitable activities.

RECOGNISES that it has moral and social responsibilities that go beyond the provisions of the statutory requirements, and that it should support and contribute to the wider process of change through all aspects of its work and practices in order to eliminate discrimination and promote equality, diversity and inclusion.

IS COMMITTED to taking 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;

  • the mix of its Trustees, employees and volunteers reflects, as far as possible, a broad

  • mix of the population.

This policy applies to all Trustees, employees and volunteers, where the term “employee” includes

anyone employed by Brakes and working on behalf of Meals & More.

Commitment

Equality, diversity and inclusion are central to the work of Meals & More. Meals & More will treat all people with dignity and respect, valuing the diversity of all. It will promote equality of opportunity, diversity and inclusion. It will eliminate all forms of discrimination on grounds of race, gender, marital status, caring responsibilities, disability, gender re-assignment, age, social class, sexual orientation, religion/ belief, irrelevant offending background or any other factor irrelevant to the purpose in view.

Meals & More will address any issues to social exclusion, inequality, discrimination and disadvantage that it becomes aware of, both internally and with any of its partners or its supporters. For this policy to be successful, it is essential that everyone is committed to and involved in its delivery. Meals & More’s goal is to work towards a just society free from discrimination, harassment and prejudice. Meals & More aims to embed this in all its policies, procedures, day-to-day practices and external relationships.

Aims

Meals & More aims to:

  • Promote equality of opportunity and diversity in volunteering and employment;

  • Create effective partnerships with all parts of our community.

Objectives

Meals & More’s 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;

  • Ensuring staff, volunteers and trustees are representative and our employment procedures are fair and robust;

  • Responding to volunteer’s & employees’ needs and encouraging their development;

  • Recognising and valuing the differences and individual contribution that all people make to Meals & More;

  • Challenging discrimination;

  • Being accountable.

Why have this policy?

Meals & More recognises, respects and values diversity in its Trustees, employees, volunteers and delivery partners.

Meals & More has this policy because it is a people-led organisation that must always ensure it meets the needs of the delivery partners through fair and appropriate employment and development of the people who work and volunteer for Meals & More.

Responsibility for Implementation

This policy covers the behaviour of all people working for or volunteering for Meals & More and sets out the way they can expect to be treated in turn by Meals & More. The overall responsibility for ensuring adherence to and implementation of this policy lies with the Trustees and employees.

Method of Implementation

  • Meals & More intends to implement this policy by:

  • Ensuring that it is a condition of paid employment for Meals & More (whether such employment is direct with Meals & More or by Brakes on behalf of Meals & More);

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

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

  • Working in partnership with organisations that are committed to Equality and Diversity;

  • Monitoring the services, publicity and events provided by Meals & More, 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

Meals & More 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 Trustees will review this policy every year.