suzannaferguson@gmail.com
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy & Action Plan
(working document)
I am committed to providing access for all people throughout the range of the activities I deliver in a freelance capacity.
I will undertake to ensure that all co-collaborators, audiences, colleagues and peers are treated equitably and encouraged to develop and maximise their true potential irrespective of age, disability, gender including transgender, HIV/AIDS status, marital status including civil partnerships, pregnancy and maternity, political opinion, race/ethnicity, religion and belief, sexual orientation, socio-economic background, spent convictions, trade union activity or membership, work pattern on the basis of having or not having dependants, or on any other grounds which are irrelevant to decision-making.
I recognise discrimination as being a process of acting unfairly against an individual or group by exclusion, verbal comment, denigration, failure to appreciate needs or the assumption of such needs without consultation.
I believe that the value of an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Policy lies not merely in its intention but in its practical delivery. It is important, therefore, that I reflect, where possible, this EDI Policy within the content areas of the work I do in a freelance capacity.
EDI Action Plan 2022/3
As a freelance theatre maker and clown, my work to date has focussed on clowning in non-theatre settings (hospitals/hospices/street), in socio-economically deprived areas, or young people with profound and multiple learning disabilities. It has always been a core value of the work I make that it be accessible for the widest possible audience. I recognise, however, that I am white, middle-class, heterosexual and able-bodied. As such, I do not represent the diverse communities of the region in which I am based.
I want to continue to make work, collaborate, tell stories, serve my community and perform but I also recognise the importance of making space for others and championing those who have historically not had the opportunities that I have.
My EDI Goals for 2022/3
“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” Maya Angelou
Speak up
- Request an EDI policy when taking on freelance work form other organisations
- When I witness inappropriate behaviour or language, I will take the opportunity to speak up as an active bystander.
- I will report racism/harassment/discrimination and use some of/one of the following tools: Direct/Distract/Delegate/Delay/Document when it occurs.
- Ensure EDI is a standing agenda point on all boards & committees I am a part of.
- Seek to give confidence and reassurance to those I work with that I am open and inclusive.
- I will not use marginalising acronyms. I will speak to the personal rather than the collective and avoid statistical terminology
- I will listen
- I will provide a safe and positive working environment and expect and demand the same from collaborators, co-producers, etc.
- When pricing work, I will balance my own need for income against access to the service I am providing, e.g offer pay-what-you-can with coaching sessions.
Widen my knowledge base
- Widen the network of my (limited) social media engagement.
- Prioritise reading fiction and non-fiction, seeing theatre, film etc written/performed/directed by under-represented and minority groups and share these with others.
- Undertake diversity and anti-racism training on a regular basis
- Read blogs/articles on theatre/play/audience engagement written by disabled people
Seek out and develop diverse storytelling:
The stories I tell will be considered in the light of diverse, lived experience. I will:
- Ensure that stories chosen do not uncritically reinforce a white privilege/dominant narrative.
- Always consider how I approach different audiences and tailor messages accordingly.
January 2022
Signed:
Suzie Ferguson:
