ED&I & Anti-Racism Policy
Founder of Celestial Soul, Nikki Wetherell, is enthusiastically committed to ED&I. Equality, diversity & inclusion and anti-racism work.
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to ensure that everyone working under the company is not unknowingly or knowingly committing unlawful discrimination.
To comply with and commit to the Equalities Act 2010 and beyond to ensure we create services and events that are diverse and inclusive.
To declare our commitment to going beyond the basic requirements of the Equalities Act 2010 and be actively embodying all aspects of equality, inclusion, diversity and continually developing our awareness, knowledge, unlearning and implementing changes to contribute to systematic change.
This policy includes and covers any events held under the company name and work carried out by Nikki Wetherell in any capacity.
Any facilitators that work for Celestial Soul or Nikki Wetherell, agree to working under this ED&I and Anti-racism policy before events by reading and completing a signed agreement that is part of the facilitators agreement. Anyone not embodying inclusion, or seen to be actively discriminatory, bullying, or harassing will be asked to rectify behaviors, complete further training and receive disciplinary.
We strive to seek out facilitators for events that already align to our values of inclusion and anti-racism.
Guests or clients attending events or coaching are also required to follow our inclusion and anti-racist policy which can be found here, and are asked to sign and agree to our policy before attending events. In the event of unacceptable behavior being reported or witnessing of discrimination, harassment, victimization or bullying, the incident will be investigated, an official report made and consequences implemented.
We (Celestial Soul)/ I (Nikki Wetherell) reserve the right to refuse entry, ask anyone to leave at any point or end a contract without refund or transfer of their place to another event, time or person due to discrimination, harassment, victimization or bullying, regardless of intention, or if the action is covert or overt and through any medium.
This policy underpins our commitment to delivering services and making services accessible to a diverse range of people and safeguarding the protected characteristics covered by the Equality Act 2010. Age, Sex, Race, Disability, Gender Reassignment, Religion or belief, Sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership and pregnancy and maternity for all facilitators, staff, volunteers, clients and guests. Our policy also extends to cover all relationship structures/styles.
We are committed to ensuring there is no discrimination, victimization, harassment, bullying to anyone unintentionally or intentionally, either a guest, client or facilitator and have a duty to make reasonable adjustments for employees and guests or clients.
Not every event will be suitable for every person but we aim to provide a range of events, workshops, and 1-2-1 offerings at a variety of venues and online, so that there is accessibility across the year for all people through our services.
Complacence with this policy will ensure that should discriminatory action take place, it will be investigated and addressed through the disciplinary procedures and policies.
It is our duty to:
Eliminate unlawful discrimination, victimization and harassment throughout our organisation.
Promote equality and equity of opportunity for our employees, potential employees, service users, and partners.
This policy applies to any facilitator, volunteer or supplier working with Celestial Soul or Nikki Wetherell.
Promote equality of opportunity for all people
To provide and environment where guests, clients and employees are treated with respect.
To prevent unlawful discrimination including direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, harassment, bullying and victimization.
Fulfil all legal obligations under the equality legislation and associated codes of practice.
All breaches of this policy are treated as misconduct which could lead to disciplinary proceedings, removal from event, termination of contracts/agreements without notice and without refund or compensation of any kind.
We value diversity and actively strive to have a diverse team of facilitators and practitioners at events that accurately reflects guests and clients.
Foster good relations between the people protected under the Equality Act and those who are not.
To produce content via media channels and live events that help educate people and raise awareness to protect those protected under the Equality Act 2010.
To continue to develop, deliver and monitor ED&I policies and continually develop and improve awareness, understanding and best practice.
How:
We will deliver services and resources that are accessible, appropriate, relevant, and of use to individuals accessing our services. Whilst taking in to account the safeguarding of all groups of people including Trans and Non-Binary people, and the intersectionality our service users and sensitive nature of some of our events.
To use appropriate language through all media that is inclusive.
To be mindful that just because we/I/team members may be someone with a protected characteristics, does not mean we are the expert of everyone’s experiences and always approach everyone as an individual without judgment and with an open heart and mind.
To never assume gender, sexuality, religion or belief, sexual preferences, relationship status or if they have/ can have / want children.
To be mindful that people are different, therefore, when and how we advise our service users will also reflect that difference.
To monitor and evaluate services to ensure that they do not discriminate or exclude individuals from different groups.
To continue training and personal study of EDI policy and best practice and implement changes required.
To hold all accountable that work for and on behalf of Celestial Soul/Nikki Wetherell to be an active ally and work towards systematic change.
To hold all service users of Celestial Soul/Nikki Wetherell accountable in order to be an active ally and work towards systematic change.
Employees, self-employed facilitators, volunteers
Anyone working for Celestial Soul or Nikki Wetherell must agree to the ED&I and Anti-racism policy by signing the facilitator agreement.
By carrying out work for for and on behalf of Celestial Soul/Nikki Wetherell, you automatically agree to the policy.
It is Nikki Wetherell’s responsibility to ensure suppliers, staff, facilitators and volunteers are aware of the ED&I and Anti-racism policy prior to work commencing and to send you the agreement by email or WhatsApp for your completion.
It is the suppliers, staff, facilitators and volunteers to sign and return. It is assumed that once work has commenced regardless of the agreement is signed and returned, that suppliers, staff, facilitators and volunteers agree to policies and therefor consequences for any actions resulting in a breach of this agreement.
No employee, paid or otherwise, will be treated less favourably or unlawfully discriminated against or suffer a detriment as a result of age, sex, disability, marital or civil partnership status, colour, race, nationality, ethnic origin, gender reassignment, religious or beliefs (or lack of belief or religion), pregnancy or maternity or sexual orientation.
No employee paid or otherwise, will be treated less favourably or unlawfully discriminated should they report or witness any breach of this policy.
If any employee feels that they are discriminated against, they should raise the matter with Nikki Wetherell, or other acting event organizer/manager verbally or in writing as soon as possible, for it to be investigated and official report made so relevant disciplinary action taken.
Active Anti-Racism Statement
Nikki Wetherell is actively committed to continual anti-racism work. Anyone working for Celestial Soul / Nikki Wetherell must also agree to the statement and sign the ED&I and anti-racist statement in the facilitator agreement before events.
This anti-racist statement expresses our commitment to make meaningful and sustainable change.
It is not enough to simply be not racist. To create systematic change we must be actively anti racist. I am committed to doing to following things to contribute to long term change and create a space that diverse, inclusive and accessible to all
Ensuring that racial equality will be discussed and taken in to account when creating services and events. This Includes advertising, language and accessibility.
Ensuring we develop partnerships with organisations who work with and represent Black, Asian and other minoritised communities and people locally and nationally.
Promote and amplify the voices of Black, Asian and other marginalized communities through social media and any other platforms that we use.
Advocating for racial justice and equity by seeking to influence, create awareness and education around racism and inequality.
Speaking out about racism and inequality where we see it and supporting the voices of people from Black, Asian and other minoritised communities. Including calling it out in the moment and retrospectively.
Implementing diverse and inclusive recruitment for events and workshops to strengthen Black, Asian and minority ethnic representation.
Ensuring we use appropriate and respectful language and terminology, including not using the acronym ‘BAME’ or similar terms that do not represent the unique experiences and different outcomes of the diverse groups in our society.
We have a zero-tolerance policy on racial harassment and bullying, Black, Asian, Mixed Race and ethnically diverse people regardless of if they are a client, guest or facilitator. If racism is reported or witnesses during one of my/our workshops or events, it will be investigated and addressed as soon as we are aware. Disciplinary procedures and safeguarding policies will be followed. Disciplinary procedures/policies include insisting on staff completing anti-racist training to help support systematic change and removing the staff member/guest/s/clients that have been discriminatory from the space where the racism happened immediately to safeguard the victim and address trauma they experienced both during the moment and following the incident.
If racial discrimination is committed by a staff member, they will immediately be dismissed, with their financial compensation for their time, for the whole duration of their contract/agreement, including travel expenses, being donated to the charity of the victims choice or directly paid to the victim via BACS.
I am committed to continual self reflection, regular training and independent learning to become a better ally and actively anti-racist.
Definitions
Equality can be described as breaking down barriers, eliminating discrimination and ensuring equal opportunity, resources and access for all groups of people
Diversity can be described as celebrating differences and valuing everyone. Each person is an individual with visible and non-visible differences and by respecting this everyone can feel valued for their contributions which is beneficial not only for the individual but for the Charity.
Equality and Diversity are not inter-changeable but inter-dependent. There can be no equality of opportunity if difference is not valued and harnessed and taken account of.
Equity - Equity recognizes that each person has different circumstances and allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome. Equity and equality are not the same.
Zero-tollorence - refusal to accept antisocial behaviour, typically by strict and uncompromising application of the law.
Racial Harassment - intimidation or exclusion of a person because of their race, ethnicity or national origin through any means whether nonverbal, verbal, written, graphic, sexual or physical nature related to actual or perceived race, color, national origin, ethnicity, cultural background, physical characteristics, or linguistic characteristics of a national origin group. includes racial slurs regardless of intent, gestures, insignias, acronyms (e.g. KKK), name-calling or symbols (e.g. swastikas, Cconfederate flags) that make an individual feel threatened or uncomfortable.
Discrimination - the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially the nine protected characteristics covered by the Equalities Act 2010; race, religion or belief, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, marridge and civil partnership and disability.
Victimization - the action of singling someone out for cruel or unjust treatment.
Bullying - The repetitive, intentional hurting of one person or group by another person or group, where the relationship involves an imbalance of power. Bullying can be physical, verbal or psychological. It can happen face-to-face or online.
Staff members - including facilitators, instructors, organizers, volunteers, anyone working for or behalf of Celestial Soul / Nikki Wetherell paid or unpaid.
Clients & Guests - Anyone using the services provided by Nikki Wetherell or Celestial Soul. Including any person that has paid for the service or received the service free of charge as a gift or prize.