Opening the Doors - getting it right with equality, diversity and inclusion 

Many people work in heritage to enjoy being part of preserving unique and remarkable places. But experiences of getting the support and tools to carry out that work can still be very uneven. It’s up to us to implement flexible and inclusive working practices that give everyone in our organisation the opportunity to thrive.

There's also the issue of how people get selected for roles in heritage in the first place - and how we can rethink our recruitment practice to encourage applications from a wider pool of talent.

The pandemic has been revolutionary in underlining that it is possible to work in a much wider range of styles. This package of resources will help get started in understanding the basics of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion - and why both people and organisations do better when these insights are applied. The result will be a workforce where everyone feels valued.

Read: EDI Essential Short Guides

Inclusive Communications

This guide to inclusive communications will help you write in clear, plain English that can be easily understood by the widest possible audience. It also describes what you need to put in place for accessible websites and social media. Plus, we point to some language guides to help you to get it right for specific audiences.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Toolkit (How to do it, and the difference it makes)

This resource gives a thorough overview of all the steps to take towards creating a more egalitarian organisation - beginning with employee surveys, focus groups and individual interviews, through to audits of your current position - both on the ground at your site and online.

These changes don't have to be introduced all at once, and may evolve over a number of years - but there is compelling evidence that organisations which take EDI seriously benefit both in retaining staff and stronger business performance.

The Workplace Passport

“Adopting and embedding tools such as the workplace passport... moves us towards a culture of inclusion and a more equitable experience.”

First used more than a decade ago by BT, a Workplace Passport is a live, confidential record between an employee and their manager of adjustments agreed between them, to support the employee’s work. Our practical guide includes a template to help you design Workplace Passports, plus a discussion of how Covid-19 and Long Covid might shape the work landscape over the next few years.

Listen: ten minute podcasts

Each of our podcasts is a bite-sized 10 minutes long, and offers a second route into the issues in our articles and toolkits. All were produced by our friends at the Disability Collaborative Network for Museums and EMBED, a cross-sector consortium of EDI practitioners and consultants.

1. How to talk

"I wanted to say and do the right thing... but the fear of saying the wrong thing almost made me feel like saying nothing at all."

The language we use around diversity and inclusion has changed radically in the past 20 years. This podcast gives a guide to the do's, don'ts - and why nots - to make you more comfortable talking about inclusion.

2. How to start

How to avoid a 'box ticking exercise' and get genuine buy in from your whole organisation

This podcast outlines how to take action - from asking your staff about their experiences, creating a sense of belonging and making a plan for the short, medium and long term.

3. How to recruit

"Your job adverts and job descriptions are the best place to start"

Does your workforce reflect the society around you? Our final podcast looks at the signals you are giving in the language of your job adverts - and barriers such as asking for previous experience in the sector and other qualifications that may not be essential.

Operating with confidence in 2022

This is the second in our seven-part guide, which we'll be sending you throughout January and February, on the essentials of surviving and thriving in the current climate.

Since early in the pandemic, the Rebuilding Heritage programme has worked with some of the most insightful people in the heritage sector - from leaders navigating change to experienced consultants who get results - to offer vital advice to heritage organisations. Now we are distilling the learning points from dozens of hours of webinars into a series of articles capturing the essentials.

Here's our publishing schedule, with more to come each week:

Ready to read:

• What's the Point of You? Vision and Mission - including a case study from Barnsley Museums.
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion resources

Coming soon:

• Needs Led Fundraising for Sustainability
• Business Planning for Uncertain Times
• Managing Hybrid Teams
• Crisis Communications resources (including social media)
• Change resources: Managing Organisational Change and Values Led Leadership for Change

Contact us

RebuildingHeritage@theheritagealliance.org.uk
0333 023 0797 (Mon-Thurs)

Follow us on Twitter at @Heritage_RH