Equality and Diversity Policy

MONTGOMERYSHIRE YOUTH THEATRE

Charity Number 516040

EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY POLICY

Montgomeryshire Youth Theatre recognises that diversity and inclusion help to support creativity and innovation: they are an essential ingredient in any successful creative organisation. We are committed to encouraging diversity and inclusion and to ensuring there is no discrimination in our organisation. We want our members, volunteers and workforce to be truly representative of all sections of society. We want our Youth Theatre to be one in which every member, employee and freelancer feels respected and able to give of their best.

To that end this policy provides a framework of equality and fairness for all in our membership and employment. It expresses our commitment not to discriminate on the grounds of age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, marital status (including civil partnerships), race, ethnic origin, colour, nationality, national origin, religion or belief and sexual orientation. We oppose all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination.

This policy applies to members, employees and freelance staff and to people working alongside us in workshops, productions, onstage or backstage.

All members, freelancers and employees, whether part-time, full-time or temporary, will be treated fairly and with respect. There is no selection for membership, we are fully inclusive and accessible to all who wish to be a part of our company. Any member of staff or freelance professional will be chosen to work with us on the basis of aptitude and ability. Access to opportunities for promotion, training or any other benefit will also be on the basis of aptitude and ability. All employees will be encouraged to develop their full potential and the talents and resources of the workforce will be fully utilised to maximise the creativity and success of the Youth Theatre.

We will:

Actively seek to increase the number of people we work with who are from groups/communities that are under-represented in the theatre industry as a whole, or in particular job roles in the industry.
Review all our formal and informal employment/hiring practices and procedures to ensure they are fair.
Identify and take opportunities to increase the diversity of casting decisions
Ensure reasonable adjustments are made to enable disabled people to work in or with our organisation, both on and off stage.
Actively seek to increase the diversity of our talent networks.
Create an environment in which individual differences and the contributions of all our staff and freelancers are recognised and valued.
Ensure every member, employee and freelancer is able to work in an environment that promotes dignity and respect for all. We will not tolerate any form of intimidation, bullying or harassment.
Ensure training, development and progression opportunities are available to all staff.

We will monitor the success of this policy regularly and our review our progress at least once a year.

This policy is fully supported by the Trustees and Management Committee of the Youth Theatre.