Equality, diversity and inclusion

Our commitments

We are committed to providing accessible and equitable care and to upholding our values of inclusivity, respect, and openness. We want Ashgate to be open to everyone who needs us and we are working to understand how we can improve this.

At Ashgate this means we are:

• Identifying and removing barriers so that everyone who needs us in our local community can access our services.
• Offering care that is flexible, creative and person centred.
• Encouraging and nurturing diversity in our workforce, our volunteers and our supporters, so that we fully reflect the community we serve.

What is Equality, Diversity & Inclusion?

• Equality is about treating everybody with dignity and respect and making sure they have the same access and opportunities in life.
• Diversity is about recognising and welcoming differences in background, values, abilities and points of view.
• Inclusion is making sure everyone feels they belong. It is removing barriers and challenging discrimination so that everyone can achieve their potential.

Working towards a more inclusive Ashgate

In the past 12 months, we have taken the following actions toward achieving our vision of being a truly inclusive and equitable organisation.

• Employed a permanent Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead.
• Started work on an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan.
• Set up an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory group.
• Made links with organisations who represent under-served communities.
• Improved data collection so we can understand who our patients and staff are, and who is missing from our care/workforce.
• Renewed our Disability Confident registration.
• 120 staff completed Communication Access

Find out more about the support available for the LGBT+ community in Derbyshire.