Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy

1. Introduction

Men Who Talk (MWT) is a registered charity in England and Wales (Charity No. 1201596), founded in January 2022. We provide digital services to support men aged 18+ across the UK with their mental health, as well as running events and engagement programmes to tackle the stigma associated with men’s mental health.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is central to MWT’s work; it improves our ability to meet the needs of the organisations and people we serve, adding value to our work and the services we offer. We work to advance EDI across all our activities in a culture of openness and trust, collaboration and healthy relationships, and by encouraging good practice and behaviour.

2. Policy Statement

MWT understands that many individuals and communities experience discrimination, inequity, or lack of opportunity and that creates major barriers to building a fair and just society. People are discriminated against either through conscious or unconscious bias because of their characteristics or circumstances. Direct and indirect discrimination can take one or combined forms based on recognised characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and belief, sex, and sexual orientation – these characteristics are defined as “protected” in the Equality Act 2010. MWT recognises that some people experience multiple forms of discrimination.

MWT is committed to improving diversity to achieve representation and inclusion, to eliminating discrimination and lack of opportunity in its own policies and practice, and to helping other organisations and individuals to do the same.

Actions taken by MWT will be consistent with the principles of adult safeguarding ensuring that any action taken is prompt, proportionate and that it includes and respects the voice of the adult concerned.

3. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to demonstrate the commitment of MWT to safeguarding adults at risk of harm, and to ensure that everyone involved in MWT is aware of:

  • The legislation, policy and procedures for safeguarding adults.
  • Their role and responsibility for safeguarding adults.
  • What to do or who to speak to if they have a concern relating to the welfare or wellbeing of an adult within the organisation.

4. Scope

This safeguarding adult policy and associated procedures apply to all individuals involved in MWT including Board members, staff, subcontractors, volunteers and freelancers, and to all concerns about the safety of adults whilst taking part in our organisation and its activities.

We expect our partner organisations, including for example, other charities, to adopt and demonstrate their commitment to the principles and practice as set out in this Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Policy and associated procedures.

5. Commitments

In order to implement this policy MWT will ensure that it:

  • Conforms to the letter and intent of legislative requirements including the Equality Act 2010 and the Human Rights Act 1998;
  • Implements mechanisms for dealing with all forms of discrimination, harassment, victimisation, and bullying;
  • Implements mechanisms for applying positive action where we know there is under-representation or disadvantage;
  • Maintains standards of good practice, ensuring that our working environment is free from bias and unacceptable behaviour;
  • Challenges discriminatory practices of our members and stakeholders, and offers guidance to their developing inclusive and accessible practice;
  • Regularly monitors and reviews this policy and practice, building on progress made and lessons learned.

Actions taken under this policy are reviewed by the Board and senior management team on an annual basis.

6. Implementation

MWT is committed to developing and maintaining its capability to implement this policy and procedures.

Through the work we deliver directly, and the wider context we influence strategically, we try to support every organisation we work with and anyone representing MWT to acknowledge and adhere to the spirit of our EDI policy commitments as well as to go beyond what is legally required in their equity, diversity and inclusion practice.

All staff, Trustees, Associates and volunteers are asked, at induction, to commit to the implementation of this policy.

In order to do so the following will be in place:

  • We proactively monitor the diversity of our staff team so that we can apply positive action in recruitment, where required.
  • Access to relevant legal and professional advice.
  • Induction for Trustees, new staff, volunteers and Associates includes a briefing on this policy and the Equality Act 2010.
  • MWT ensures that our services meet the needs of all members and the wider sector, including those from disadvantaged communities.
  • MWT seeks to encourage and recruit volunteers from diverse communities. MWT values the contribution of diverse perspectives and how this benefits its culture and services. Equity, diversity and inclusion induction and training is provided for our volunteers.
  • MWT’s services are reviewed regularly and changed where needed to ensure that they comply with this policy.
  • MWT makes reasonable adjustments to practices to ensure our services are accessible to all staff, Trustees, volunteers, Associates, and members/customers/participants who may be impacted due to disability or other access needs.

7. Complaints

MWT aims to maintain high standards at all times and to continually improve our practice. As well as seeking feedback from members, customers, and participants to evaluate our service quality and effectiveness, we encourage informal feedback and complaints.

Any feedback or complaints relating to this policy will be addressed directly by the Board of Trustees.

8. Promotion and communication of this policy

A copy of this policy is given to all new staff members, Trustees, volunteers, and Associates, and is included in the induction programme. Anyone representing MWT will receive a copy of MWT’s Commitments with regards to EDI.

This policy is published on the MWT website and is available to anyone upon request.

9. EDI Policy Sources

  • Equalities and Human Rights Commission: https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/secondary-education-resources/useful-information/understanding-equality
  • Culture Amp: https://www.cultureamp.com/blog/diversity-equity-inclusion-work
  • Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities: https://www.learningdisabilities.org.uk/learning-disabilities/a-to-z/s/social-model-disability
  • Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development: https://www.cipd.co.uk/knowledge/fundamentals/relations/diversity
  • Imperial College: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/equality/resources/unconscious-bias/
  • Equally Yours: https://www.equallyours.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Talking-about-equality-guide.pdf

10. Monitoring, evaluation, and reporting

Effective monitoring and evaluation is critical for our commitment to continually improve our practice.

Monitoring is the responsibility of the staff team; evaluation of the policy and its implementation is the responsibility of the Board.

The results of our monitoring and evaluation processes feed into MWT’s various reporting requirements – for example, to specific funders.