Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy

At Handpowered, we are committed to promoting equality, valuing diversity and working inclusively, and will do everything we can to accommodate any adjustments course attendees or visiting staff might need to achieve their full potential. We do not tolerate discrimination, harassment or victimisation and have due regard for the ‘protected characteristics’:

• age
• disability
• gender reassignment
• marriage and civil partnership
• pregnancy and maternity
• race
• religion or belief
• sex
• sexual orientation

In addition to the protected characteristics listed above and specified under the Equality Act 2010, we aim to protect everyone from any discrimination based on their caring responsibilities, mental health, physical health or socio-economic status. 

We exist to encourage young people and adults to enjoy the outdoors and to inspire them to achieve more than they ever thought possible, while helping to protect and improve their green spaces. We believe that everyone has untapped potential and we create an inclusive culture where different experiences and characteristics are welcomed and embraced. Within our core values is the belief that conservation is for all and we do everything we can so that everyone feels valued, welcomed and encouraged to be themselves. Everyone who is involved with Handpowered has the right to have an equal opportunity to experience the outdoors and to improve their skills, be it in scything, drystone walling, coppicing, hedgelaying, woodworking or tool repair. At the centre of this is the principle of equity, which involves recognising that everyone is different, and so ensuring equal opportunity sometimes means treating people differently. We use an equity approach to guarantee that each individual can learn the skills they need and be empowered to strive to learn new skills.