Equality and Diversity Policy:

Introduction

The Brodstock Music Festival is an inclusive festival where all members of our community are of equal worth.

Our festival aims are to:

• Promote participation and interest in music and performance
• Celebrate and promote our local community
• Create a compelling annual family-friendly day out
• Raise funds and awareness for worthy causes
• Be a force for good

We look to achieve these aims through the Brodstock Values of Community, Collaboration and Teamwork whilst always ensuring we are wholly accessible and welcoming to everyone.

We aim to treat everyone equally, regardless of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Brodstock Equality and Diversity Principles

Our approach to equality is based on the following key principles:

All participants in the Festival are of equal value. Whether or not they are disabled, whatever their ethnicity, culture, national origin or national status, whatever their gender and gender identity, whatever their religious or non-religious affiliation or faith background and whatever their sexual orientation.

We recognise, respect and value difference and understand that diversity is a strength. We take account of differences and strive to remove barriers and disadvantages which people may face in relation to disability, ethnicity, gender, religion, belief or faith and sexual orientation. We believe that diversity is a strength which should be respected and celebrated by all those who participate in the festival.

We foster positive attitudes and relationships. We actively promote positive attitudes and mutual respect between groups and communities different from each other.

We foster a shared sense of cohesion and belonging. We want all Brodstock participants to feel a sense of belonging within the Festival and wider community and to feel that they are respected and able to participate fully.

We observe good equalities practice for the Festival organising group. We ensure that policies and procedures benefit all participants and our volunteers in all aspects of their involvement.

Accessibility

We ensure the festival, our ticket sales day and our organising meetings are accessible to wheelchair users with ample priority parking.

For ticket holders that require the support of a carer we provide free festival tickets for carers.

Assistance dogs are welcome to the festival and are an exception to our no dog policy.

Our festival toilets (Portaloos) include accessible toilet facilities.

Diversity

We aim to work alongside as many community groups as possible to suit the interests and meet the needs of a wide variety of people.

Our organisers are open to new ideas, and particularly prioritise opportunities for those based in the Halifax, Bradford and Huddersfield areas.

Inclusion and respect

Every festival-goer, volunteer, staff member, performer and trader should be made to feel equally welcome and included at all Brodstock functions and meetings.

Sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic or otherwise offensive and inflammatory remarks and behaviour are not acceptable. These constitute harassment, and have no place with the festival.

Dealing with discrimination and harassment

If anyone feels they have been discriminated against by the festival or harassed at any of our events they should raise this with the organising group which is a sub-committee of the Old Brodleians rugby club.

The organising group will investigate the complaint, listening to those involved. (If the complaint is against an organising group member, that indivudual will not be part of conducting the investigation).

If the complaint is against a particular individual, this person will have the opportunity to express their point of view, accompanied by a friend. The person making the complaint will also have this opportunity.

If the complaint is against the festival as a whole, the organising group must work to ensure that such discrimination is not repeated in the future, and must inform the individuals of how they propose to do this.

The festival will support people who feel they have been harassed or discriminated against, and will not victimise or treat them less well because they have raised this.

Policy Review

This policy was adopted by the Brodstock organising group on 12th February 2020 and will be reviewed again at least every 2 years.