Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Policy
At Trauma Research UK, we are committed to treating everyone with fairness, dignity and respect. We believe that everyone deserves access to support, understanding and opportunity, regardless of their background, identity or circumstances.
We work with people who may have experienced trauma, adversity or exclusion, and we recognise that barriers and inequalities can affect how people access mental health support. We are committed to reducing these barriers wherever possible.
What Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Means
Equality means treating people fairly and ensuring no one is disadvantaged or discriminated against.
Diversity means recognising and valuing differences between people.
Inclusion means creating an environment where everyone feels welcome, respected and able to participate fully in our services and governance.
This policy applies to:
- Beneficiaries and service users
- Trustees, staff, mentors and volunteers
- Partners, suppliers and stakeholders
Our Commitment
We are committed to:
- Treating everyone with dignity and respect
- Ensuring our services are accessible and inclusive
- Challenging discrimination, stigma and prejudice
- Creating a supportive and inclusive culture within our organisation
- Embedding equality and inclusion into our decision-making and governance
- Working in line with the Equality Act 2010 and relevant UK legislation
Protected Characteristics
We will not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010, including:
- Age
- Disability
- Gender reassignment
- Marriage and civil partnership
- Pregnancy and maternity
- Race, ethnicity or nationality
- Religion or belief
- Sex
- Sexual orientation
We also recognise that people may experience additional barriers related to trauma, mental health, socio-economic background, digital access, or life circumstances.
Inclusive Practice
We aim to:
- Design services that are trauma-informed and accessible
- Remove barriers to participation where possible (e.g. cost, digital access, stigma)
- Use inclusive and respectful language
- Ensure beneficiaries have opportunities to share feedback and shape our services
- Promote diversity and inclusion in trustee recruitment, volunteering and partnerships
Responsibilities
- Trustees are responsible for overseeing equality, diversity and inclusion within the charity.
- Staff, mentors and volunteers are expected to follow this policy and uphold inclusive values.
- Everyone involved with Trauma Research UK is encouraged to promote fairness and challenge discrimination.
Complaints and Concerns
If someone feels they have been treated unfairly, excluded or discriminated against, they can raise a concern using our Complaints Policy. All concerns will be taken seriously and handled sensitively and appropriately.
Review of This Policy
This policy will be reviewed annually to ensure it remains relevant and effective, and to reflect changes in legislation, best practice and the needs of those we support.