Foundation CEO says Equality Award is a sign of things to come

Foundation of Light CEO Lesley Spuhler OBE says that winning an Equality award is acknowledgment of the organisation’s pioneering work but more needs to be done. Foundation of Light recently won the ‘Education/Training Orgs up to 150 staff’ category at the North East Equality Awards, partially as a result of their pioneering work to involve those under-engaged in sport including girls, women and those with disabilities. However, more work has gone on behind the scenes to bring inclusion and equality to the forefront of the organisation’s culture. In the past 12 months, the Foundation of Light has updated, developed and delivered: an Equality and Diversity employee policy and procedure; a Dignity at Work policy and procedure; a Disabled Workers policy; a Religious Beliefs policy; and a Young Persons at Work policy. The charity has also set up an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion working group involving staff at all levels of the organisation and, because of this, have their first Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy and action plan.

We are obviously delighted to win this award recognising our efforts to make our organisation and community more inclusive and equal. However, for us this is just a landmark on a longer journey. Our organisation is committed to giving everyone the opportunity to improve their lives, regardless of their age, gender, race, background or situation. It is imperative that we lead the way in our communities and keep equality and inclusion high on the agenda. I’ve very proud of what we’ve achieved so far but I want us to continue to improve and set an example for other organisations across our region.

Lesley Spuhler OBE, Foundation of Light CEO

As part of the continuing commitment three staff members have enrolled on an Equality and Diversity Level 2 qualification and the Foundation is working towards the Equality and Diversity Gold Standard for the Foundation of Light.