British Red Cross

British Red Cross and Diversity

The British Red Cross helps people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. We are part of a global voluntary network, responding to conflicts, natural disasters and individual emergencies. In the UK, we have over 34,000 volunteers, who provide a range of services to the general public. 

We enable vulnerable people in the UK and abroad to prepare for and withstand emergencies in their own communities. And when the crisis is over, we help them to recover and move on with their lives. 

Diversity Statement:

“The Red Cross seeks to ensure that our organisation and our services are relevant and accessible to all.  We value fresh perspectives and insights gained by involving and welcoming people from the widest possible diversity of background, culture and experience.”

To read more about the British Red Cross and diversity please visit www.redcross.org.uk

Living Diversity Project

The Living Diversity Project aims to widen the representation of staff, volunteers and service users from a diverse range of backgrounds including disabled people, young people and black and minority ethnic communities. 

We aim to tackle this under-representation by actively ensuring that our policies, processes and services are not resulting in exclusion.  We are working with leadership within BRCS to develop a diversity strategy and action plan.  We are working across all teams to integrate diversity into planning process and therefore achieve change.  We are supporting initiatives across the board that highlight good practice in promoting respect and overcoming discrimination.  The Living Diversity team provides support and guidance on diversity matters in all areas of work of the organisation internally.

Strategic Change

We have currently just completed an organisation wide review of Diversity within the Red Cross.  The outcome of the review will be discussed by managers, which will then direction the development of further good diversity practice within the Red Cross.

We have a Diversity Co-ordination Group (internal) and a Diversity Advisory Group (external) to provide strategic guidance on diversity issues and also act as a critical friend.

Operational Achievements

We currently have 16 Diversity Champions across the UK.  Diversity Champions have successfully delivered on a number of diversity objectives and 2 years into the projects, results are now visible. 

An example of this is in Kent and Sussex, where partnerships with 5 BME (Black and Minority Ethnic) community groups have now been established, as well as the introduction of a Diversity Pledge for managers.  South East Territory is the first to commit to developing a territory wide diversity plan and has held a successful planning day specifically for this.  As a result, every area under SE is also committed to developing an area wide action plan.  Scotland has also committed to developing a territory wide action plan on diversity. 

Other Diversity Champions, after actively building relationships with local communities and completing a diversity audit, are now looking to the next phase of the project.  An example of this is Northern Ireland where a Mid-term review has been completed.  Mainstreaming diversity appears as a heading in its own right in the local planning guide.  A volunteer recruitment drive is planned to widen representation even further in 2007.