Lewisham Homes Equality and diversity strategy 2010

We will work to actively prevent discrimination in all forms and ensure that prospective or present employees and those who use our services, are not treated less favourably on the grounds of:

• Gender;
• Gender re-assignment;
• Race, colour, ethnic or national origin;
• Religion or belief;
• Age;
• Disability;
• Sexual orientation;
• Marital status;
• Employment status;
• Income;
• Responsibility for children or dependants.

The Equality and Diversity Strategy approved by the Board in May 2010 and has six key objectives that are as follows:

1. Fulfil our legal and regulatory responsibilities.
2. Ensure effective involvement with all groups of residents and increase satisfaction.
3. Provide accessible services that respond to your needs, particularly those of you who are considered to be vulnerable.
4. Ensure that equality and diversity issues are addressed by our partners and contractors providing services on behalf of and with us.
5. Our staff and Board reflects the communities we serve.
6. Increase staff awareness of our approach to equality and diversity.

Some of the actions included within the strategy include:

• Increasing the information on our residents so that we can deliver more effective services;
• Ensuring membership of the Equality and Diversity Resident Forum that monitors our approach to equality and diversity, reflects the make up of the people we serve (see page 2);
• Developing a programme of surgeries within the community for Vietnamese and Somali residents;
• Working with young residents to develop a young people’s section on our website;
• Reviewing the Resident Compact to ensure that opportunities for involvement suit you;
• Delivering actions arising from our analysis of satisfaction surveys that you return;
• Making sure all offices continue to be accessible for all our residents, in accordance with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA);
• Making sure the contractors doing works on properties such as kitchen and bathroom refurbishments, window replacements and installing new central heating systems, identify disabled and elderly residents before the works commence.

If you would like to contribute to making sure Lewisham Homes’ services are fair, equal and accessible to all, you may wish to join the Equality and Diversity Resident Forum.

If you wish to attend the next meeting, would like more information on the Forum or a full version of the Equality and Diversity strategy, please speak to Simon Eversley on 020 613 7678 or email him at the following address: simon.eversley@lewishamhomes.org.uk.