OUTDOORS
The BMC upgrades its Equality Standard James McHaffie has been working hard on upgrading the BMC’s Equality Standard for Sport from Preliminary to Intermediate. The Standard is owned by the 5 Sports Councils through the Sports Council’s Equality Group (SCEG). It’s a framework for assisting sports organisations in widening access and reducing inequalities in sport and physical activity, aimed at under- represented individuals, groups and communities. It is based around two broad themes: developing your organisation and developing your services. There are four levels of achievement: Foundation, Preliminary, Intermediate and Advanced. Gaining the Intermediate level involved a large written body of work showcasing what the BMC was doing well at, what it would improve going forward and where it wants to be in a few years. This submission was assessed by an Equality Assessor, Jane Holdsworth, and the BMC gave a presentation on Monday 27 April, which was the final stage of applying for the Standard. Jane gave very positive feedback to the BMC and on the 28 April we received word from Jamie Hooper, the Sport England Senior Equality and Diversity Manager, that the BMC had achieved the award with flying colours.
An example of the feedback on the BMC’s intermediate Equality Standard submission:
“The submission and the organisational visit show the organisation’s commitment to the equality and diversity agenda, its willingness to learn and challenge itself and to work in partnership to increase its influence. The range of equality and diversity initiatives that it leads on, or is involved in is impressive, particularly considering the size of the organisation. It was evident from the assessment presentation that the commitment to equality and diversity runs through all levels of the organisation: clear leadership at a senior and board level for equality, diversity and inclusion; an active and inclusive Equality Steering Group; a good understanding of how equality and diversity can be promoted at a grassroots level, such as through climbing walls facilities and an understanding of how equality data will help inform the talent pathway strategy.”
Big thanks to, James McHaffie, Cressida Allwood, the volunteers of the ESG, Liz Davidson and anyone else who helped to support the BMC in attaining this award.
The BMC’s Equality Plan
The BMC has now developed an Equality Plan, which gives objectives, actions, timescales, progress and impact reports for equity-related work streams. It includes articles to be written, publications and resources to be produced, media representation of under-represented groups, staff training, events to be delivered, and will help give some consistency and direction to equity related work going forwards. Lynn Robinson, the BMC President, is the Equality Champion, and nominated Director Jonny Dry is the Board’s representative on the Equality Steering Group. This facilitates good communications between BMC staff, the Board of Directors, National Council and members on matters of equity and how the BMC can continue to develop opportunities into the future.
On hearing that the BMC had been awarded with this standard, Lynn commented, “This is fantastic news and shows all the ongoing hard work and commitment of the BMC staff and hundreds of volunteers”.
Climbing, walking and mountaineering more accessible for all Attaining the Intermediate Standard gives some acknowledgement that the BMC has been doing some good work and is going in the right direction in trying to make climbing, walking and mountaineering more accessible to everyone. The current situation with CV-19 makes it imperative that we continue to think about supporting people from marginalised groups and disadvantaged backgrounds who will be most effected by the crisis. In the near future, we’ll be looking at engaging the membership with the work the Equity Steering Group is doing, and looking at how members can get involved in events as participants, volunteers or in developing new projects. If you’d like to get involved in making a positive difference to peoples’ lives, get in touch.
If you would like to get involved, get in touch:
james@thebmc.co.uk BMC HANDBOOK |
www.thebmc.co.uk | 59
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