Equality and Diversity

Making sure it is fair: respect and access

Housing with respect leaflet cover

Valuing diversity and ensuring equality opportunities are fundamental to the way we work at Westward.  We recognise the contribution made by diverse communities to our local areas’ economic, social and cultural well being. We strongly oppose all forms of unfair discrimination because this prevents individuals from developing into their full potential and playing an active role in their neighbourhoods and communities.

For more information about our work on equality and diversity, please see: Achieving Preventing Discrimination, Valuing Diversity and Achieving Equal Opportunities.

Know your responsibilities - Equality Act

Policy and Strategy

Our equality and diversity strategy is currently under review to incorporate the requirements of the Equality Act 2010, staff are trained to meet the requirements of the equality duties. 

Equality Strategy

Equality and Diversity Policy

Equality and Access Group

The Equality and Access Group includes representatives from all areas of Westward Housing Group and its residents. It works to monitor adn improve Westward's approach to equality and diversity and supports staff and residents in recognising and valuing the diversity of our communities. 

Access to our services and homes

We make sure that all people have equal access to our services and in particular take into account the needs of disabled, vulnerable and particularly disadvantaged groups.

We ensure all our communications are available on CD and audio tape, in large print, in Braille or translated into another language. For more details you can view our Accessible information policy and guidelines.

We provide an induction hearing loop in meeting spaces and this can be portable too. People can contact us using Typetalk (see our 'Contact Us' page for more on this).

Our office meets the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act,  which include wheelchair access, and disabled parking.

If you would like to view some of our equality analysis, please contact the appropriate department by telephoning 01803 200300 or completing the Contact Us online form.

Click on these links to read:

Community Cohesion Strategy           

BME Housing Strategy

We are also members of a housing partnership group Housing With Respect which represents and supports Black and Ethnic Minority tenants of the region and holds a fantastic annual event in Plymouth to promote and celebrate diversity. 

Housing With Respect banner   To find out more about this work with Plymouth & Devon Racial Equality Council, please read this Housing With Respect leafletor visit www.plymouthrec.org 

Click here to see pictures from last year's Respect Festival.

We also support the similar Respect Festival held in Exeter.

If you wish to locate a place of worship in Devon or Cornwall then this multifaith directory is very helpful: http://pow.reonline.org.uk

For those recently arrived in England, a very useful website about Housing Rights information is: http://www.housing-rights.info/

Please follow this link to read a helpful Housing Jargon Buster from the Tenant Participation Advisory Service www.tpas.org.uk/Pages/Directory.aspx?id=159