Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Everyone is welcome

Hidden Beach is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion in everything we do.

We want our events, projects, workplaces and community activities to be welcoming, accessible and respectful environments where everyone has the opportunity to participate and contribute.

We recognise that people have different backgrounds, identities, experiences, circumstances and needs. We value those differences and believe that diversity strengthens our organisation, our events and the communities we work with.

We are committed to treating people fairly, removing unnecessary barriers to participation and challenging discrimination, harassment and exclusion.

1. Purpose of this policy

This policy sets out Hidden Beach's approach to equality, diversity and inclusion and the standards we expect across our organisation and activities.

It applies to our work with:

• employees and workers;
• volunteers;
• artists, performers and creatives;
• traders and stallholders;
• contractors and suppliers;
• partner organisations;
• venues;
• event participants;
• audiences and visitors;
• community groups; and
• anyone representing or working on behalf of Hidden Beach.

Our aim is to make equality, diversity and inclusion part of how we plan, make decisions and deliver our work rather than treating it as a separate activity.

2. Equality

Hidden Beach is committed to providing fair treatment and fair access to opportunities.

We will seek to ensure that decisions about employment, volunteering, programming, trading opportunities, partnerships, procurement and participation are based on relevant and appropriate considerations.

We will work to identify and remove unreasonable barriers that may prevent individuals or communities from participating in our activities.

Equality does not always mean treating everyone identically. Different people may require different forms of support or reasonable adjustments in order to participate fairly.

3. Diversity

Hidden Beach values diversity within our organisation, programmes, audiences and wider community.

We want our activities to reflect the broad range of people and communities we serve.

Where appropriate, we will seek to encourage participation and representation from people and communities who may traditionally have been underrepresented or faced barriers to participation in cultural, creative, community or public events.

We recognise diversity can include differences in background, identity, experience, perspective, culture, circumstances and ways of thinking.

4. Inclusion

We want people to feel that they are genuinely welcome and able to participate in Hidden Beach activities.

We will work to create environments where people are treated with dignity and respect and where different perspectives and experiences are valued.

When planning projects and events, we will consider who may face barriers to taking part and what reasonable steps could make participation easier.

5. Equality Act 2010

Hidden Beach supports the principles of the Equality Act 2010 and will comply with its legal obligations where applicable.

We will not unlawfully discriminate against someone because of a protected characteristic.

The protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010 are:

• age;
• disability;
• gender reassignment;
• marriage and civil partnership;
• pregnancy and maternity;
• race, including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origin;
• religion or belief;
• sex; and
• sexual orientation.

We recognise that individuals may experience disadvantage or discrimination relating to more than one characteristic or aspect of their identity.

6. Discrimination, harassment and victimisation

Hidden Beach does not accept unlawful discrimination, harassment, bullying or victimisation within our organisation or activities.

This includes inappropriate behaviour directed towards employees, volunteers, performers, traders, contractors, audiences, visitors or other participants.

We expect everyone working with or participating in Hidden Beach activities to treat others with dignity and respect.

Where concerns are raised, we will seek to deal with them fairly, appropriately and proportionately.

Serious misconduct may result in a person being asked to leave an event, ending a working or volunteering relationship, terminating a trader or supplier arrangement, or taking other appropriate action.

7. Accessibility

Hidden Beach is committed to improving accessibility across our events, projects, venues, communications and digital services.

We recognise that accessibility requirements vary between individuals and that some disabilities and health conditions may not be visible.

Where reasonable and practicable, we will consider accessibility when selecting venues and locations, designing event layouts, producing communications and information, providing facilities and planning audience experiences.

We will consider reasonable adjustments when someone tells us that they require additional support to participate.

Where an event or location has unavoidable accessibility limitations, we will aim to provide clear information so that people can make informed decisions before attending.

8. Artists, performers and cultural programming

Hidden Beach believes that cultural programming benefits from a broad range of voices, experiences and creative perspectives.

When developing programmes, we will seek to provide fair opportunities and encourage participation from a diverse range of artists, performers, musicians, creatives and community organisations.

Programming decisions will continue to take account of factors such as artistic suitability, quality, audience, availability, budget, location and the objectives of individual projects.

9. Traders, suppliers and contractors

We aim to provide fair and transparent opportunities for traders, suppliers and contractors.

Selection decisions may legitimately consider matters including suitability, experience, quality, safety, availability, event requirements, product mix, capacity and value.

We will not unlawfully discriminate when selecting or working with traders, suppliers or contractors.

Where appropriate, we will seek to create opportunities for local and independent organisations and businesses and for people who may otherwise experience barriers to participating in events.

10. Recruitment, employment and volunteering

Hidden Beach is committed to fair and inclusive recruitment and volunteering practices.

Decisions concerning recruitment, responsibilities, training, development and opportunities will be based on relevant skills, experience, suitability and organisational requirements.

We will seek to make reasonable adjustments for disabled applicants, employees and volunteers where required and appropriate.

Everyone working or volunteering with Hidden Beach is expected to support the principles contained within this policy.

11. Audiences and community participation

Hidden Beach exists to create cultural, creative and community opportunities.

We want our events and projects to reach and welcome people from across the communities in which we work.

When developing activities, we will consider potential barriers to participation, which may include accessibility, affordability, location, transport, communication, timing or awareness.

Where practicable, we will look for ways to reduce those barriers.

We will also seek opportunities to work with community organisations and partners that can help us understand and engage with different sections of the community.

12. Children, young people and families

Where our activities involve children, young people and families, we aim to create welcoming and inclusive environments appropriate to their needs.

Equality and inclusion will be considered alongside our safeguarding responsibilities and any specific requirements relating to the activity or event.

13. Communications and marketing

We will aim to make our communications inclusive, respectful and accessible.

Where appropriate, we will consider:

• clear and understandable language;
• accessible digital content;
• alternative ways of accessing important information;
• representative imagery and storytelling; and
• avoiding unnecessary stereotypes or discriminatory language.

We will continually improve our communications as our organisation and audiences develop.

14. Working with partners

Hidden Beach works with venues, councils, community organisations, sponsors, funders, contractors and other partners.

We expect organisations working with us to behave in a way that is consistent with the principles of equality, dignity and respect set out in this policy.

Where appropriate, equality, diversity and accessibility considerations will form part of project planning and partnership discussions.

15. Raising a concern

Anyone who believes they have experienced or witnessed discrimination, harassment, exclusion or inappropriate behaviour connected with a Hidden Beach activity is encouraged to raise the matter with us.

Concerns can be sent to hello@hiddenbeach.uk.

Concerns will be taken seriously and considered as promptly, fairly and sensitively as reasonably possible.

People raising concerns in good faith should be able to do so without fear of victimisation.

Depending on the circumstances, we may need to speak with other people involved in order to understand and respond to a concern properly.

Where a matter involves an immediate safety risk, criminal behaviour or a safeguarding concern, it may need to be referred to the appropriate authorities or specialist organisations.

16. Responsibility

Equality, diversity and inclusion are shared responsibilities.

The Directors of The Hidden Beach Organisation CIC have overall responsibility for this policy.

People managing individual projects and events are responsible for considering equality, inclusion and accessibility as part of their planning and delivery.

Employees, volunteers, contractors and others representing Hidden Beach are expected to behave consistently with this policy.

17. Monitoring and improvement

We recognise that equality, diversity and inclusion require ongoing attention.

Hidden Beach will review its practices and learn from feedback, complaints, experiences and the communities with which we work.

Where problems or barriers are identified, we will consider reasonable and proportionate improvements.

We may also review participation and representation across our programmes where doing so is appropriate and lawful.

18. Policy review

This policy will be reviewed annually, or sooner if relevant legislation, recognised good practice or our activities change.

Organisation: The Hidden Beach Organisation CIC Policy: Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Effective: September 2026 Next review: September 2027