Our commitment
Conger Hill Trust is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion in its charitable activities, volunteering and relationships with the communities it serves.
The Trust will treat people fairly, with dignity and respect, and will not unlawfully discriminate against anyone because of a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010.
These are:
- age;
- disability;
- gender reassignment;
- marriage and civil partnership;
- pregnancy and maternity;
- race, including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origin;
- religion or belief;
- sex; and
- sexual orientation.
The Trust also recognises that people may experience disadvantage for reasons not covered by the protected characteristics, including financial hardship or social circumstances. The Trust will seek to ensure that its activities are welcoming and accessible to the communities they are intended to benefit.
Our services and activities
The Trust will seek to provide its charitable activities fairly and without unlawful discrimination.
In particular, the Trust will:
- apply eligibility criteria, limits and other service rules consistently and fairly;
- not give preferential or less favourable treatment because of a protected characteristic;
- make reasonable adjustments for disabled people where required and reasonably practicable;
- consider accessibility when planning activities, communications and services; and
- respond appropriately to discriminatory, harassing or abusive behaviour.
The Trust may provide activities or support targeted at particular groups where this is lawful and consistent with its charitable purposes.
Trustees and volunteers must not allow their personal views, beliefs or relationships to result in unfair treatment of someone using the Trust's services.
Trustees and volunteers
The Trust aims to provide an inclusive volunteering environment in which people are treated with dignity and respect.
Decisions about volunteering opportunities, responsibilities, training and participation will be based on the Trust's needs, the requirements of the role and an individual's suitability to undertake it.
Discrimination, bullying, harassment or victimisation by trustees or volunteers will not be accepted.
Trustees and volunteers are expected to:
- treat others with dignity and respect;
- communicate appropriately and respectfully;
- support an inclusive environment;
- follow reasonable arrangements made to support accessibility; and
- challenge or report serious discriminatory or inappropriate behaviour rather than ignoring it.
Concerns about the behaviour of a volunteer may be dealt with under the Volunteer Policy and Code of Conduct. Concerns about the conduct of a trustee will be considered by the Board.
Respectful and neutral environment
Conger Hill Trust is a non-party-political charity and aims to provide a welcoming environment for everyone.
People using the Trust's services, as well as trustees and volunteers, are expected to leave party-political campaigning and divisive political debate outside Trust activities.
Discussion or behaviour that targets, demeans or stereotypes people because of characteristics such as race, nationality, religion, sex, disability or sexual orientation will not be accepted.
This includes hostile or prejudicial comments about groups of people, including migrants, refugees or people of particular nationalities or ethnic backgrounds.
Where this happens, a trustee or volunteer may ask the person to stop the conversation or change the subject. Persistent, abusive or discriminatory behaviour may be dealt with under the Trust's Complaints Policy or other relevant procedures.
People are entitled to hold their own views, but those views must not be expressed in a way that makes Trust activities hostile, intimidating or unwelcoming to others.
Concerns and review
Anyone who believes they have experienced discrimination, harassment or unfair treatment by the Trust may raise the matter with a trustee in accordance with the Trust's Complaints Policy.
Volunteers who experience or witness inappropriate behaviour should raise the matter with a trustee.
The Trust will take concerns seriously and will not treat someone unfavourably because they have raised a genuine concern in good faith.
The Board of Trustees is responsible for ensuring that the principles of this policy are reflected in the Trust's activities and decision-making.
The Board will review this policy at least annually and where a significant concern, change in legislation or change in the Trust's activities indicates that it should be reviewed sooner.