Black Lives Matter
Friday 19th of June 2020The tragedy and distress that we have witnessed in communities within US, UK and across the world over recent weeks has been appalling, and we at Avenues fully support the call for the urgent and systemic change. Black lives matter.
Racial discrimination, or discrimination of any kind, should have no place in this world. Avenues works in ethnically diverse communities, and is proud to have an operational workforce which reflects this. Over the past two weeks we have been listening to staff, of varying ethnic backgrounds, who have been emotionally affected by what has been happening, to help them find a way through this time.
We also support people from diverse ethnic backgrounds, and are deeply concerned by the reported inequalities in regard to their treatment for coronavirus, and the wider health implications of what we now understand from Public Health England. UK people from Black and Ethnic Minority (BAME) communities are two to three times more likely to die from COVID-19 than the wider population, and those who also have a learning disability are therefore at risk of life-threatening ‘double discrimination’.
Within our organisation, we have an inclusive culture with clear policies and impact assessments to ensure equality for the whole Avenues family, and a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination. But we are always searching for additional positive action we can take, and are conscious that we need to ensure diversity and representation at all levels of the organisation.
Whether you are an employee, someone we support or a family member, if you have ideas about how Avenues can build greater equality within the organisation and its services, we want to hear from you. You can email me, Jo Land, with your thoughts which I will also share with our Equality and Diversity Steering Group. Alternatively, you can confidentially email the group directly.
Thank you.
Jo Land (Group Chief Executive) and Terry Rich (Group Chair of Trustees)
Avenues Group
