If you have started or are proceeding on your journey to improve inclusion within your organisation, you may have started thinking about writing a impact or position statement that states your intentions and reflects the values you would like your organisation to represent for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. Here are some suggestions that may help:

1: Review any previous documents

You may have a statement that you want to review, adapt and improve. There may be information from your Equal Opportunities policy or other documentation that you can use as this is reflecting what your organisation is already doing rather than starting anew.

2: If you are starting from scratch

Jot down ideas, words and key phrases that are important in your organisation when thinking about diversity, equality and inclusion. This could be a group exercise that one person takes away and forms a statement from. Gather feedback so that this reflects your organisation and also tells others what your organisation represents.

3: Once statements have been written

Review and agree with board members and share with all staff members so that everyone is aware of the messaging and importantly, everyone is on board so that all those who are part of the organisation are able to represent those values and showcase them in their approach to working and volunteering.

4: Sharing your statement

Share your statement on your website and or other places of interest so that those who want to make connections, work and volunteer for your organisation know its intentions when it comes to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

At Reading Voluntary Action (RVA) we have recently adapted our statement and want to share it with you.

RVA believes that an equal opportunities approach must be embedded in the culture of the organisation. It is what we do and how we do it – our practice – that defines where we stand in relation to equal opportunities. Position statements and written frameworks work alongside tangible actions to document intentions, showcase good practice and highlight development areas. We believe that all organisations are on a journey in their approach to and development of equality, diversity and inclusion. We all have a role to play in challenging discrimination and different forms of oppression. To meet these challenges, we aim to be a learning organisation where everyone feels free to raise issues of equality and where training and learning from each other are highly valued, monitoring and evaluation are prized tools and freedom to admit mistakes and celebrate successes are of central importance.

Further information

• You can click here for other ideas and tips to inspire you: 10 Examples of Awesome Inclusion Statements
• Go to the RVA Equality, Diversity and Inclusion page for more information and resources.

Good luck with writing your statements and sharing them with all!