Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity brings innovation, fresh ideas and creativity, and we actively strive to create a culture that is truly inclusive and fair for all and where everyone in the team can be themselves and thrive. 

The strength of OnSide comes from the diversity of the people within our charity and vibrant network. We are striving to build an organisation that reflects the communities we serve. We value people working together from a range of different backgrounds and with different experiences, all with a shared passion for boosting the aspirations of young people across the country. 

We recognise that we are on a journey to create the diverse and inclusive culture that truly reflects our values and the vibrancy of the communities we serve. We are committed to  

• Foster a culture of diversity and inclusion 
• Develop and nurture our employees, making the most of individuals’ unique backgrounds and experiences 
• Operate within the principles of fairness, respect, quality, integrity, and empathy for colleagues, and all stakeholders in our charity 

Our Diversity and Inclusion strategy provides a clear and focussed approach to achieving our goals 

1. People and Culture – Cultivate and promote an inclusive culture that maximises talent, skills and diversity of our employees. 
2. Build and maintain a diverse workforce – Attract and retain a pipeline of diverse candidates with a wealth of experience and talent. 
3. Support and champion equality, diversity and inclusion across the network  – Celebrate diversity and strive for social equality in all that we do to support open Youth Zones and new Youth Zone projects  

To drive this work forward, we have a number of initiatives in place including a reverse mentoring programme, unconscious bias training for all employees, and a FREDIE (Fairness, Respect, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion & Engagement) Group which supports OnSide’s Senior Leadership Team in providing strategic oversight of equality, diversity and inclusion, ensuring the above visions are embedded into the charity’s culture.