Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)
Find out more about how EDI is part of who we are, how we work, and how we want to grow.
Our commitment
At The Advocacy Project, our vision is a world in which every person has a voice.
That belief sits at the heart of our work. For more than 25 years, we have worked alongside people who are often excluded or marginalised, supporting them to have their voices heard, understand their rights and make choices about their lives.
Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion has always been a natural extension of this work. If we believe that every person should be heard, respected and able to influence the decisions that affect them, then we must strive to create an organisation where our own people experience the same sense of belonging, respect and opportunity.
EDI is therefore not something separate from our work. It is part of who we are, how we work and how we want to grow.
Learning from our history
Listening to people and learning from their experiences has always been central to The Advocacy Project.
Our advocacy and user involvement work has taught us that people are experts in their own lives. Their experiences, perspectives and knowledge can challenge assumptions, reveal barriers and lead to better decisions and better services.
We want to bring that same approach into our workplace.
We recognise that creating a genuinely inclusive organisation is an ongoing journey. We have made progress, and we are proud of the foundations we have built, but we do not believe that inclusion is ever ‘finished’. We need to keep listening, learning and being willing to change.
Our focus: listening, learning and lived experience
This year, we are focusing particularly on three connected ideas:
Listening
Creating opportunities for people to speak openly about their experiences and perspectives, and making sure they know that what they say is heard and taken seriously.
Learning
Being curious about experiences that are different from our own, challenging assumptions and recognising that we will not always get everything right. Wee want to create a culture where learning is welcomed and where people can ask questions, reflect and grow.
Lived experience
Recognising the knowledge and insight that comes from people’s own experiences. We know the value of lived experience in our work with people who use services, and we want to make sure that it’s equally valued within our workforce.
Creating safe spaces to speak and be heard
Inclusion requires more than policies and good intentions. People need to feel safe enough to speak, particularly when they have experienced exclusion, discrimination or inequality.
We want to create spaces where staff can share experiences, raise concerns, ask difficult questions and challenge the way we do things without fear of being dismissed or judged.
That means listening with care, responding with respect and being honest about what we can change. It also means recognising that creating a safe space does not mean avoiding challenging or difficult conversations. Sometimes meaningful change begins with being willing to hear something that is uncomfortable.
We will continue to look for ways to strengthen these spaces for our staff, including through peer networks, dedicated listening spaces, the appointment of an EDI Champion within our staff team and an EDI lead on our Board of Trustees.
Our values in action
Our values give us a practical foundation for our approach to EDI.
We are kind
We treat people with respect and kindness and value the different experiences and viewpoints they bring.
We are honest
We are open about where we are on our journey, including where we have more to learn and where we need to do better.
We believe
We believe in people, in the power of advocacy and user involvement, and in the importance of people having a meaningful voice.
We are strong
We are willing to challenge barriers, have difficult conversations and keep working towards change.
These values are not just words. We want to see them reflected in the everyday experience of working at The Advocacy Project.
Our pledge for the future
We are committed to building a workplace where people from different backgrounds, identities and experiences can thrive; where difference is respected; where people feel they belong; and where everyone has a genuine opportunity to contribute and develop.
We will:
- listen to the experiences and perspectives of our staff;
- create safe and accessible opportunities for people to speak and be heard;
- value lived experience as a source of knowledge and expertise;
- learn from feedback, including when it challenges us;
- identify and address barriers to inclusion;
- support managers and leaders to develop inclusive approaches;
- seek to make our policies, practices and working environment more equitable and accessible;
- use what we learn to inform meaningful action and change; and
- recognise that EDI is everyone’s responsibility.
Most importantly, we will keep listening, learning and reflecting on our progress.
Inclusion starts with us
Our ambition is that the experience of working at The Advocacy Project strengthens the experience of the people and communities we work alongside.
When our staff feel able to be themselves, share their experiences and challenge barriers, they can bring more of themselves to our work. When we listen to our people, we are better placed to listen to the people we support. And when we create an inclusive organisation, we can help create more inclusive services and communities beyond our organisation.
That is how we want our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion to ripple outwards.
Building trust is not just about listening. It’s about acting on what we hear and turning it into tangible change.
Katherine Shaw, CEO, The Advocacy Project
Get in Touch
Want to find out more?
Email Abigail Seckley, HR Officer for The Advocacy Project and our EDI Champion, abigail.seckley@advocacyproject.org.uk