1. Purpose and Commitment
Sherwood Dales Neighbourhood Watch and Community Group CIC is committed to creating a welcoming, respectful and inclusive community in which people are treated fairly and can participate without discrimination. We value the different experiences, perspectives and contributions of residents, volunteers and partners.
We will promote equality of opportunity, recognise and reduce barriers to participation, and take proportionate steps to make our activities and communications accessible.
2. Scope
This policy applies to:
- directors, volunteers, members and anyone acting on behalf of the organisation;
- community activities, events, meetings, volunteering and decision-making;
- our website, email, Facebook, WhatsApp and other communication channels; and
- our dealings with residents, visitors, suppliers, funders, public bodies and partner organisations.
3. Equality and Protected Characteristics
We will not unlawfully discriminate against, harass or victimise anyone because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race (including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.
We also aim to be inclusive of people with different caring responsibilities, health needs, communication needs, economic circumstances and levels of confidence or experience, whether or not these are protected characteristics under equality law.
4. How We Put This Policy into Practice
- Access and participation: activities will be open and welcoming within any legitimate geographic, capacity, safety or project-specific limits.
- Reasonable adjustments: we will consider reasonable requests to remove or reduce barriers for disabled people and others with access needs.
- Communication: we will use clear and respectful language and, where reasonably practicable, offer information in a more accessible format or through an alternative channel.
- Volunteering and leadership: opportunities and responsibilities will be allocated fairly, based on the needs of the organisation and the skills, interests, availability and conduct of those involved.
- Decision-making: we will seek a range of views, avoid unfair assumptions and consider who may be excluded or disadvantaged by a proposed decision.
- Events and activities: locations, timings, costs, physical access and other practical arrangements will be considered with inclusion in mind.
- Partners and suppliers: where proportionate, we will favour organisations that share our commitment to fair and respectful treatment.
5. Conduct
Bullying, harassment, victimisation, hate speech, discriminatory language and other demeaning or exclusionary behaviour are not acceptable. This complements the Community Conduct Standards in our Terms and Conditions, which apply across our online platforms.
We recognise that people can make mistakes. Where appropriate, we will seek to resolve concerns constructively, while taking firmer action where conduct is serious, repeated or poses a risk to others.
6. Responsibilities
- The directors are responsible for approving, implementing and reviewing this policy.
- People leading activities should consider inclusion and accessibility when planning and delivering them.
- Everyone covered by this policy is expected to treat others respectfully, challenge inappropriate behaviour safely where they can, and raise concerns when necessary.
7. Raising a Concern
Concerns about discrimination, exclusion or accessibility may be raised privately through our contact page or by emailing info@sherwooddales.org.uk. We will listen, consider the circumstances fairly, maintain confidentiality as far as reasonably possible, and avoid conflicts of interest. Nobody will be disadvantaged for raising a genuine concern in good faith.
Depending on the circumstances, action may include an explanation or apology, an adjustment to an activity, informal resolution, removal of content, a warning, restriction from an activity or platform, or referral to an appropriate external organisation.
8. Monitoring, Information and Review
We will consider feedback and participation barriers when reviewing our activities. We will not collect sensitive personal information unless there is a clear and lawful reason to do so, and any information collected will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
This policy will be reviewed at least annually and sooner if there is a significant change in our activities, relevant law or council/funder requirements.
Last updated: 5th October 2026.