2. Scope

This policy applies to all directors, staff, volunteers, contractors, participants, and service users of Spring Together CIC.

3. Legal Framework

This policy is underpinned by the Equality Act 2010, which protects individuals from discrimination based on the following protected characteristics:

• Age
• Disability
• Gender reassignment
• Marriage and civil partnership
• Pregnancy and maternity
• Race
• Religion or belief
• Sex
• Sexual orientation

4. Our Commitment

Spring Together CIC will:

• Treat all individuals with dignity, fairness, and respect
• Ensure that no individual is discriminated against, harassed, or victimised on the basis of any protected characteristic
• Actively promote equality of opportunity in recruitment, service delivery, and all organisational activities
• Make reasonable adjustments to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities
• Challenge and address discriminatory behaviour wherever it occurs

This policy is not intended to replace or bypass Spring Together CIC's Complaints Policy, which covers personal grievances.

5. Types of Discrimination

Spring Together CIC recognises and will act against:

Direct discrimination — treating someone less favourably because of a protected characteristic

Indirect discrimination — applying a provision, criterion, or practice that disadvantages people with a particular protected characteristic

Harassment — unwanted conduct related to a protected characteristic that creates a hostile, degrading, or offensive environment

Victimisation — treating someone unfairly because they have made, or are thought to have made, a complaint related to discrimination

6. Inclusive Practice

Spring Together CIC will take positive steps to promote inclusion, including:

• Ensuring events and services are physically and digitally accessible
• Using inclusive language in all communications
• Seeking to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve in our staffing, volunteering, and leadership
• Regularly reviewing our practices for any potential equality impact

7. Raising Concerns

Any individual who experiences or witnesses discrimination, harassment, or victimisation should report it through Spring Together CIC's Complaints & Harassment Policy or Whistleblowing Policy as appropriate. All concerns will be taken seriously and investigated promptly.

8. Responsibilities

The Board of Directors is responsible for the implementation of this policy. All individuals associated with Spring Together CIC share responsibility for upholding the values of equality, diversity, and inclusion.

9. Review

This policy will be reviewed annually by the Board of Directors and assessed for its effectiveness in promoting equality across the organisation.

Authorised by Sodeeq Olalekan, Director / Head of Digital Trust, Policy and Compliance, Spring Together CIC — 18 May 2026.