Updated: 28th February 2024
Throughout this policy, the term ‘Lighthouse’ shall be taken to mean, collectively: :
and Lighthouse Water Eaton which is an associate Lighthouse through St Frideswide’s Church, a resource hub in the Diocese of Oxford for community organising and church growth.
In accordance with our Vision and Values (Together we Can…) Lighthouse welcomes everyone, asking that all respect and work within the context of our Christian beliefs.
At Lighthouse we have an understanding that we are all made in the image of God and that we are all valued and important.
Equality and diversity are central to the values of Lighthouse.
In his ministry Jesus showed God’s love by his openness to all people, including those who were marginalised in his day.
Equality: equality is the principle of equal treatment for all people irrespective of their age, colour, disability, ethnic origin, sex, gender reassignment, HIV status, marriage and civil partnership, nationality or national origins, race, religion or beliefs, responsibility for dependents, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity.
Diversity: the acceptance that we are all different, but we are all equal. Diversity focuses on valuing and celebrating the strengths in people’s differences.
Equality and diversity is about accepting people’s differences and creating an environment in which all can thrive and contribute.
All volunteers will be made aware of the contents of this policy as part of the training process.
Every volunteer and child should be made to feel equally welcome and included at all Lighthouse events.
Sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic or otherwise offensive and inflammatory remarks and behaviour are not acceptable. These constitute harassment and have no place at Lighthouse.
Equality and diversity is about accepting people’s differences and creating an environment in which all can thrive and contribute. Lighthouse is committed to ensuring that all feel valued, that the skills and talents of individuals are recognised and fully utilised and that the environment at Lighthouse is productive and rewarding. Lighthouse is a place where there is respect for difference in culture and experience.
Lighthouse will be active in making sure all its policies and procedures are fair and no volunteer or child is disadvantaged when participating in the activities it provides.
Lighthouse is also aware of how people can be subject to harassment on a wide variety of grounds and take many forms. Harassment is a physical, verbal or non-verbal action which is unwelcome, unwanted and offensive to the recipient and has the effect of violating their dignity and creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive atmosphere for that person. This can include embarrassing or offensive jokes, unwelcome physical contact or sexual advances, the expression of racist, homophobic, etc views, lewd comments and innuendo, sending offensive text messages.
Lighthouse Trustees are responsible for implementing this policy and upholding its principles in everything it does.
We will make sure that:
The procedures laid out in this policy are with regard to legislation defined by the Equality Act 2010; Human Rights Act 1998; Protection from Harassment Act 1997, Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 and 1999;
