Who We Are

"We", "us", and "our" mean HRE4U CIC and, where the context requires, people authorised to act on its behalf.

HRE4U CIC

Company Number: 16856183

Policy Information

Policy: Equality, Inclusion & Accessibility Policy
Policy owner: HRE4U CIC Board of Directors
Status: Approved
Approved by: HRE4U CIC Board of Directors
Approval date: 17 October 2026
Version: 1.0
Last reviewed: 17 October 2026
Next review due: 17 October 2027

Our Commitment

HRE4U is committed to providing an inclusive, accessible, welcoming and respectful environment. We want people to be treated with dignity and to have a fair opportunity to access and take part in what we offer.

This policy applies to our community café sessions, events and workshops, volunteering opportunities, online services, communications, fundraising activities, HRE4U representatives, and our work with external partners and referral organisations.

HRE4U is an independent, non-clinical community organisation. Our services are for adults aged 18 and over.

Equality and Non-Discrimination

HRE4U does not tolerate discrimination of any kind, towards anyone, by anyone.

This applies to directors, volunteers, visitors, service users, external providers, partners and anyone participating in HRE4U activities. Discrimination, harassment, victimisation and other unfair treatment are not accepted or ignored.

We recognise the protections provided by the Equality Act 2010. Our commitment to dignity and fair treatment is not limited to legally protected characteristics: people should be treated respectfully whatever their identity, background, ability, beliefs, circumstances or experiences.

Zero tolerance means discriminatory behaviour is never accepted or ignored. Any response will still be fair, appropriate and proportionate to the circumstances, using our Code of Conduct, Adult Safeguarding Policy, and Complaints & Concerns Policy where relevant.

Reasonable Adjustments

We will consider reasonable adjustments to help people access and participate in our activities. Someone telling us that they are struggling with something is enough for us to listen and consider what might help.

You will never be required to disclose a medical diagnosis, provide medical evidence or proof of disability, share your medical history, or explain personal circumstances you do not wish to discuss. A volunteer may ask what practical assistance would help, but should not ask intrusive medical questions.

You are welcome to discuss an accessibility requirement before attending, but advance notice is not compulsory. Requests made when you arrive or during an activity will also be considered. Some adjustments need preparation and may not be available immediately.

We cannot promise that every requested adjustment will be possible. If we cannot reasonably provide something, we will explain the limitation respectfully and explore practical alternatives with you.

Hidden Disabilities Sunflower

HRE4U recognises the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower scheme. A Sunflower lanyard may indicate that somebody has a non-visible disability or may need additional support, patience or understanding.

We will not demand proof of disability, ask intrusive medical questions, or assume somebody's particular needs from a lanyard. Wearing one is entirely voluntary and is never required. People who do not wear a lanyard receive the same consideration and support.

Accessibility at Our Café

Our Community Crisis Café currently runs at St Faith's Church Hall. The venue has a separate ramped entrance at the rear and accessible toilet facilities.

Standard parking is available at St Faith's Church Hall. However, there are currently no designated disabled parking spaces.

Where available, we may be able to offer a quieter space. Availability can vary depending on the session, event and other activities taking place in the building.

Friends, family members, carers, support workers and other support people are welcome to attend with you. You may contact us to discuss access arrangements, although advance notice is not required.

Premises and Practical Limitations

HRE4U operates from premises belonging to other organisations, including St Faith's Church Hall. We will consider reasonable adjustments within our control, but we do not own these buildings or have unrestricted authority to alter them.

Structural alterations, permanent fixtures, parking arrangements, building facilities and physical access improvements may require the premises owner's involvement. Where appropriate, we will raise accessibility concerns with the owner and consider reasonable temporary alternatives while a matter is being addressed.

We will explain limitations honestly and will not advertise facilities that are not available.

Events, External Venues and Providers

For events organised by HRE4U, we consider accessibility during planning, use our existing risk-assessment arrangements, identify known limitations and communicate relevant limitations before booking or attendance. We do not advertise facilities that a venue does not provide.

Where a separate provider delivers a service at its own premises, that provider is responsible for its premises and accessibility arrangements. We ask providers to explain those arrangements directly to service users, and we may help somebody contact the provider where appropriate.

We cannot guarantee facilities or arrangements controlled by another organisation. This does not remove HRE4U's responsibility for its own decisions, activities or duties.

Animals

Animals are welcome at HRE4U activities, including assistance animals. We may need to consider safety, hygiene, an animal's behaviour, venue requirements and the needs of other people present, but we do not have a general ban on ordinary pets.

When considering reasonable adjustments and our legal duties, we recognise the important role of assistance animals and will not treat them in the same way as an ordinary pet restriction.

Religious and Cultural Inclusion

HRE4U is independent and non-religious. Operating from church premises does not make us a religious organisation. People of all faiths and none are welcome.

HRE4U volunteers must not promote religious beliefs or initiate religious activities as part of HRE4U services. Visitors may respectfully discuss their own beliefs, but nobody should be pressured to join a religious discussion or activity.

We respect cultural differences and individual circumstances while maintaining the same expectations of safety, dignity and respect for everyone.

Communication and Information

We aim to use clear, understandable language and avoid unnecessary jargon. Where reasonably possible, we can provide larger text, plain-text information, practical alternative formats, or help somebody understand information.

What we can provide will depend on the information, available resources and the practical options open to us. We will not require a diagnosis or medical evidence before considering a communication adjustment.

Website Accessibility

We continually review and improve the accessibility of our website. We are working towards the principles of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2, but we do not currently claim that the whole website fully conforms to WCAG 2.2.

Current features and approaches include:

• Screen-reader support: we use headings, labels and meaningful page elements where possible
• Alternative text: we aim to describe images that communicate important information
• Keyboard access: most areas can be accessed with a keyboard, although some parts may still need improvement
• Clear language and structure: we use headings, short sections, lists and clear links to make information easier to understand
• Responsive layouts: pages are designed for mobile phones, tablets and desktop computers

We carry out ongoing checks on parts of the website, including keyboard and screen-reader checks, but these are not a complete accessibility audit.

Known Limitations

Some parts of the website may not yet be fully accessible or may not work equally well for every user. Known or possible limitations include:

• occasional layout or spacing issues on some screen sizes or when text is enlarged
• inconsistent heading structure, labels or alternative text on some older pages
• areas where colour contrast, focus indicators or keyboard navigation could be improved
• third-party content, embedded services, documents or external tools that we do not fully control

We are reviewing these areas and will continue making improvements where reasonably possible.

Volunteer Inclusion

We welcome volunteers with different abilities, circumstances and support needs. We may consider reasonable adjustments to responsibilities, communication, induction, training and working arrangements.

Volunteers do not need to disclose a medical diagnosis or condition. Essential safeguarding and safety competencies must still be achieved so that everybody can participate safely.

Feedback, Concerns and Complaints

If you experience an accessibility barrier, find something difficult to use, experience unfair treatment, or notice something we could improve, please tell us.

You can use our Feedback Tab, email hello@hre4u.co.uk, or use our contact page. If one method is not accessible, please use whichever works best for you.

Formal complaints are handled under our existing Complaints & Concerns Policy. Concerns about abuse, neglect, exploitation or risk of harm are handled under our Adult Safeguarding Policy.

Review and Related Policies

Equality, inclusion and accessibility are ongoing responsibilities. This policy is reviewed at least once every 12 months and may be updated sooner where feedback, changes to our services, new guidance or identified barriers show that changes are needed.

This policy should be read alongside our Code of Conduct, Adult Safeguarding Policy, Complaints & Concerns Policy, and Privacy Policy.

Accessibility is about people, not just guidelines. HRE4U has been designed and built in-house by a very small team, and we know we will not always get everything right. Your feedback helps us improve.