HANDSWORTH ROADHOGS RUNNING CLUB

INCLUSION POLICY

Handsworth Roadhogs Running Club embraces diversity and difference and is committed to providing opportunities that are safe, inclusive, accessible and equitable. We want our Club to be equally accessible to all members of society, whatever their age, disability, gender, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or social/economic status.

The Club and its Committee will try to focus on inclusion, not exclusion, and seek to ensure that we provide appropriate advice to members, prospective members and volunteers to ensure that everyone can participate as fully as possible.

This Inclusion Policy is intended to facilitate and promote good attitudes and perceptions and to improve opportunities for everyone to participate at our Club. We will seek to ensure that we comply with the Equality Act 2010 and the characteristics protected by it (age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership and pregnancy and maternity) and encourage our members to do so. We will seek to include everyone regardless of whether they have a protected characteristic or not.

Our goal is to provide an environment where everyone feels:-

-welcome

-represented

-included in decision making

-able to participate

-safe and free from discrimination, bullying, harassment and vilification

AIMS

The aims of the Inclusion Policy are:-

-to promote the development of knowledge and understanding of disability, equity and inclusion amongst our participants, leaders/coaches, officials, volunteers and competition/event organisers by the provision of appropriate guidance and training.

-to bear in mind the desirability of growing and sustaining numbers of people from underrepresented groups participating within our Club.

-to promote inclusion within running wherever possible and in accordance with the provisions of the Equity Act 2010. The Club committee will include this goal within their remit.

-to promote where feasible working partnerships with relevant groups and organisations to support the development of inclusive practice within our Club

COMMITMENT

We will:-

-not tolerate discrimination, harassment, bullying or victimisation

-actively try to identify and reduce any barriers to participation for underrepresented groups

-ensure underrepresented groups are given the opportunity to participate in all aspects of our Club

-provide opportunities for all in coaching, officiating and leadership positions

WE WILL PROVIDE A WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT

-we will think positively about how we can include people and attempt to remove barriers to participation.

-we will bear in mind inclusion matters when promoting the Club.

-we will encourage people to contact us to discuss their needs and requirements to facilitate inclusion and we will consider what reasonable adjustments could be made to enable them to participate.

-we will seek to develop the knowledge and understanding of key officials, coaches, leaders and other volunteers, of disability, equity and inclusive practice by highlighting appropriate guidance and training opportunities.

WE WILL TALK TO PEOPLE AND MAKE REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS

-we will endeavour to demonstrate that every effort has been made to enable everyone to participate and that inclusion not exclusion has been the priority.