Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Embracing EDI isn’t just a strategic choice; it’s a moral duty that helps people, improves organisations, and pushes us toward a fairer future for everyone. This is why the Green Space Skills Hub chose this topic to focus on for our latest webinar.
The latest session in our Employment Support Hub Sessions covered the launch of the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Charter for the green space sector, led by a wide-ranging group seeking to gather data on diversity.
The session also introduced resources from the Greater London Authority (GLA), that the Hub gives you access to: The Design Lab’s 2023 flagship programme for larger businesses and the WIN toolkit created for all organisations.
Missed the session? Click on the button below to watch it!
What is EDI?
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) have emerged as pivotal concepts in the modern workplace, fostering an environment where individuals from all walks of life feel valued, respected, and empowered. In the UK’s green space sector, EDI is not just a buzzword but a cornerstone for progress.
The green space sector is seeing massive growth at the moment, however, there continues to be labour shortages and the industry is not yet visibly represented by the increasingly diverse population in London.
What's happening in the sector?
EDI Charter:
The Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Charter has been designed to gather baseline data on the current status of the green space sector. This information will be crucial in developing strategies to improve EDI across the industry going forward.
Not only will this survey collect valuable data across the sector but, individual organisations can also use the survey to collect their own data for internal purposes. The standardisation of the survey will ensure an effective comparison and analysis industry-wide.
Please support this by completing and circulating the survey.
Workers Integration Network (WIN) – Greater London Authority:
WIN helps small to medium-sized businesses to be strategic and informed about challenges and how to address them in the sector. They offer support through their upcoming toolkit as well as a specialist programme which is already open for applications (details are at the end of this blog).
The WIN toolkit aims to make things as simple as possible by having everything in one place, from resources to recommendations. The toolkit is backed by research and provides step-by-step actions to take. This toolkit is coming soon so keep an eye on their website.
What does success look like?
Success in promoting EDI is multifaceted. Firstly, it translates to a more competitive sector, drawing from a wider talent pool. Unique perspectives help us to come up with smart ideas to solve problems and generate innovative ideas. Secondly, it involves attracting and retaining individuals from diverse backgrounds, ensuring that the sector is reflective of society at large. EDI creates a friendly and supportive atmosphere, which helps everyone work better together. When we include people from all backgrounds, the green space sector becomes stronger and more creative.
Let’s invite people to the party and get them to dance!
A powerful metaphor, inviting people to the “party” means welcoming them into the sector. However, getting them to “dance” signifies providing an inclusive environment where they can contribute, thrive, and have a meaningful impact. EDI is not just about representation; it’s about creating a sense of belonging and empowerment.
Getting started in EDI
Launched in January 2021, the Design Lab is a 12-month programme supporting large businesses to tackle the underrepresentation of young Black men aged 16 to 24 years. The Design Lab is WIN’s flagship initiative that includes free workshops, four coaching sessions, and a treasure trove of downloadable tools and resources. Participants are also able to connect with a wide network within the sector and access WIN’s vital knowledge and support. If you’re not sure where to begin to improve your EDI offering, this is an excellent first step.
Or, for more information about the programme please contact: shanna@kesterassociates.co.uk