Equality and Diversity

Values and Commitment

Housing With Respect leaflet

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 approach to equality and diversity, please see the leaflet we give to all residents and staff: Achieving Preventing Discrimination, Valuing Diversity and Achieving Equal Opportunities.

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/

Policy and Strategy

We have a comprehensive Equality and Diversity Strategy  which covers the procedures and systems established to measure and monitor our performance, both in eliminating discrimination and in implementing good practice. 

Equality and Access Group

The Equality and Access Group includes representatives from all areas of Westward Housing Group and its residents. The Group meets every two months to manage Westward's approach to equality and diversity and to support the staff and residents in recognising and valuing the diversity of our communities. 

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 District Racial Equality Council, please read this Housing With Respect leaflet or 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.

 

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.

Positive about disability logo

Click on these links to read:

BME Housing Strategy

Community Cohesion Strategy