1. Our Commitment
 

Creative Heritage was founded on a simple belief: we are more similar than we are different.
 

Our mission is to bring people together through arts, culture and shared creative experiences. We believe that learning about each other's cultures, stories and traditions can build understanding, challenge prejudice and help create stronger, more connected communities.
 

Equality, diversity and inclusion are therefore not simply policies we follow – they are at the heart of why Creative Heritage exists.
 

We are committed to creating welcoming spaces where children, young people, families, volunteers, artists and community members feel respected, valued and able to participate.
 

We celebrate people's individual identities and cultural heritage while creating opportunities to discover and appreciate the cultures of others.
 

We do not accept discrimination, harassment, bullying or victimisation within our organisation, programmes or events.

2. Who This Policy Applies To
 

This policy applies across Creative Heritage and its activities, including:

• Creative Heritage Performing Arts;

• Bulgarian Choir "Maghiya";

• Young Creator Studio and other creative projects;

• health and wellbeing activities;

• FamOlympics;

• Around the World Festival;

• Christmas and other community events;

• competitions, performances and external events;

• work experience and youth volunteering;

• online activities and communication;

• volunteering and recruitment;

• partnerships and collaborations.
   

It applies to Creative Heritage board members, volunteers, participants, parents and carers, contractors, mentors, guest professionals and others working with or representing Creative Heritage. We also expect organisations and individuals working in partnership with Creative Heritage to respect the principles of equality, dignity and inclusion reflected in this policy.
 

3. Our Principles
 

Creative Heritage aims to:

• treat people fairly, respectfully and with dignity;

• create opportunities for people from different backgrounds to participate in arts, culture and community life;

• celebrate cultural diversity without stereotyping people or communities;

• recognise and reduce barriers that may prevent people from participating;

• encourage children and young people to be curious about cultures and experiences different from their own;

• create environments where people feel that they belong;

• listen to people when they tell us something is making participation difficult;

• challenge discrimination, prejudice, harassment and bullying appropriately;

• make reasonable adjustments for disabled people where required and appropriate;

• continually learn and improve our approach as our organisation and community develop.
   

Equality does not always mean treating everybody identically. People have different circumstances, needs and barriers, and sometimes providing fair opportunities means offering different types or levels of support.
 

4. Equality and the Law
 

Creative Heritage is committed to meeting its responsibilities under the Equality Act 2010 and other relevant equality legislation.

The Equality Act 2010 identifies nine protected characteristics:

• age;

• disability;

• gender reassignment;

• marriage and civil partnership;

• pregnancy and maternity;

• race;

• religion or belief;

• sex;

• sexual orientation.

The way particular protections apply varies according to the circumstances and the type of activity or service.

Our commitment to inclusion also extends beyond the minimum requirements of the law.

We recognise that people's opportunities to participate may also be affected by factors such as financial circumstances, language, cultural background, caring responsibilities, family circumstances and social isolation.

Where reasonably possible, Creative Heritage seeks to understand and reduce these barriers.

5. What Inclusion Means at Creative Heritage

For us, inclusion is something we put into practice. Creative Heritage brings people together through music, dance, theatre, storytelling, folklore, sport, wellbeing activities and creative projects.

We actively create opportunities for people to experience cultures beyond their own and for communities to share their heritage with others.
 

This can mean:

• children learning songs, dances and traditions from cultures other than their own;

• performers from different communities sharing the same stage;

• supporting children who do not speak the language of a song they are learning;

• creating opportunities for local cultural groups and artists to showcase their work;

• designing projects in which children with different talents can contribute in different ways;

• creating opportunities both on stage and behind the scenes;

• providing targeted activities where there is an identified community need;

• considering financial barriers to participation and providing supported places where resources allow;

• working with local organisations to reach people who may otherwise have fewer opportunities to participate.

Our aim is not to make everybody the same. It is to create spaces where difference can be celebrated while people feel equally valued as part of the community.
 

6. Cultural Diversity and Representation

Culture is central to Creative Heritage. We aim to celebrate cultural traditions respectfully and authentically while recognising that cultures are diverse, evolving and experienced differently by different people.

When presenting cultures through performances, festivals, workshops or creative projects, we aim to:

• approach traditions with respect and curiosity;

• involve people with relevant cultural knowledge where reasonably possible;

• avoid stereotypes and caricatures;

• give communities opportunities to represent themselves;

• acknowledge the origins and context of cultural traditions where appropriate;

• encourage children to ask questions and learn rather than make assumptions;

• create opportunities for meaningful cultural exchange.

We recognise that we will not always get everything right. We welcome respectful feedback and are willing to learn when members of our community help us understand something differently.

7. Children and Young People

Children and young people are at the centre of much of Creative Heritage's work. We want every young person to feel that their contribution matters, whether they are performing on stage, writing a song, creating choreography, filming a video, designing something, organising an event, learning a new skill or simply finding the confidence to participate.

We aim to provide opportunities based on children's interests, development, abilities and the requirements of individual projects rather than assumptions about their background or identity.

We encourage children to:

• respect people who are different from themselves;

• celebrate their own culture and identity;

• be curious about other cultures;

• challenge stereotypes;

• work collaboratively;

• listen to other people's experiences;

• make space for others to participate;

• treat one another with kindness.

Bullying, discriminatory behaviour or deliberate exclusion will be addressed appropriately.

Where behaviour involving a child also raises concerns about their welfare or safety, it will be considered under our Safeguarding Policy.
 

8. Accessibility and Disability
 

Creative Heritage wants disabled children, young people and adults to be able to participate in our activities wherever reasonably possible. We recognise that barriers can arise from physical environments, communication, activities, procedures or attitudes. We will consider reasonable adjustments where required, which may include changes to the way an activity is delivered, communication support, additional assistance, use of appropriate aids or adjustments to arrangements. Because Creative Heritage uses a range of community venues, performance spaces and external locations, levels of physical accessibility may vary. We encourage participants and families to tell us about accessibility requirements as early as possible so that we can discuss what support may be needed and what adjustments can reasonably be made.
 

We will not make assumptions about what someone can or cannot do because of a disability.
 

9. Financial Inclusion
 

We recognise that the cost of participating in arts and extracurricular activities can create barriers for families.

Creative Heritage operates with limited resources and cannot remove every financial barrier, but we aim to keep our activities as accessible as reasonably possible.

Where funding allows, this may include:

• funded or subsidised places;

• sibling discounts;

• keeping member contributions proportionate;

• covering selected competition or participation costs;

• seeking grants and partnerships that increase access to opportunities.

We aim to handle conversations about financial circumstances sensitively and respectfully.

10. Fair Opportunities

Opportunities within Creative Heritage may include performances, competitions, solos, leadership responsibilities, work experience, mentoring, creative roles and representation at external events.

Not every opportunity will be appropriate or available to every participant.

Decisions may reasonably take account of factors such as:

• age;

• the requirements of a particular project;

• skills or experience;

• readiness;

• commitment and attendance;

• safeguarding considerations;

• available places;

• the requirements of an external organiser.

We aim to make these decisions fairly and without unlawful discrimination. We also recognise that developing young people sometimes means giving someone an opportunity to grow rather than simply choosing the person who is already the most experienced.
 

11. Volunteers, Recruitment and Professional Opportunities

Creative Heritage aims to provide fair opportunities to people who want to contribute their time, skills and experience.

Selection decisions will be based on the needs of the organisation and role, including relevant experience, skills, suitability and safeguarding requirements.
 

We welcome volunteers and collaborators from different backgrounds and particularly value people who can help us build meaningful connections with the diverse communities represented in Sutton.

Everyone representing Creative Heritage is expected to treat colleagues, participants, families and members of the public with dignity and respect.
 

12. Partners, Artists and External Professionals
 

Creative Heritage regularly works with artists, cultural groups, schools, community organisations, businesses, mentors and other professionals. We seek to work with people and organisations whose behaviour is compatible with our commitment to respect, inclusion and community cohesion. We expect people delivering activities on behalf of Creative Heritage to avoid discriminatory, degrading, intimidating or harassing behaviour.
 

Where concerns arise, we will consider appropriate action depending on their nature and seriousness. This may include discussion, additional guidance, ending someone's involvement in an activity or partnership, or referral under another relevant policy.
 

13. Discrimination, Harassment, Bullying and Victimisation

Creative Heritage does not accept discrimination, harassment, bullying or victimisation. Concerns will be taken seriously and responded to appropriately. Our response will consider the circumstances, seriousness and age of the people involved. For example, an insensitive comment made by a child who does not understand why it may be hurtful may require conversation, education and an opportunity to learn. Deliberate, serious or repeated discriminatory behaviour may require a different response.

Where appropriate, action may include:

• speaking with the people involved;

• providing guidance or education;

• involving a parent or carer;

• establishing expectations for future behaviour;

• taking steps to protect someone experiencing harassment or discrimination;

• restricting or ending someone's involvement in an activity in serious circumstances;

• using Creative Heritage's safeguarding procedures;

• referring matters to an appropriate external authority where necessary.

No person should be disadvantaged for raising a genuine concern about discrimination or supporting someone else who has raised a concern.
 

14. Raising a Concern
 

We want people to tell us when something does not feel right. A participant, parent, carer, volunteer, partner or member of the community can raise a concern about equality, discrimination, harassment, accessibility or inclusion by contacting Creative Heritage.

Email: creativeheritageuk@gmail.com

Designated Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Officer: Mariella Blago

Please provide as much relevant information as you feel comfortable sharing.

We will:

• take the concern seriously;

• listen to the person raising it;

• handle information sensitively;

• consider the circumstances fairly;

• take appropriate action;

• communicate an outcome where appropriate and possible.

We recognise that concerns may sometimes involve people in positions of responsibility within Creative Heritage. Where appropriate, another board member should consider the matter to avoid a conflict of interest.

If a concern relates to the safety or welfare of a child, our Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy will take priority.

15. Responsibilities

Equality, diversity and inclusion are everyone's responsibility within Creative Heritage.

​

The Board is responsible for:

• maintaining this policy;

• promoting an inclusive organisational culture;

• considering equality and accessibility when developing activities;

• responding appropriately to serious concerns;

• reviewing practices where barriers or inequalities are identified.

• ​

Volunteers, Project Leaders and Representatives
 

People representing Creative Heritage are expected to:

• follow this policy;

• treat people respectfully;

• challenge or report inappropriate behaviour where appropriate;

• consider the different needs of participants;

• raise concerns when they become aware of discrimination, harassment or exclusion.
   

Participants and Families
 

We ask members of the Creative Heritage community to help us maintain a welcoming environment by treating other participants, volunteers, families, performers and members of the public with respect.
 

16. Learning and Improvement
 

Creative Heritage is a small, volunteer-led organisation working within a diverse and changing community. We do not see equality and inclusion as something that can be completed through a policy document.

We will continue to learn through:

• conversations with children and families;

• feedback from volunteers;

• relationships with community organisations;

• collaboration with people from different cultural backgrounds;

• experience gained through our projects and events;

• relevant changes in guidance and legislation.

Where feedback identifies a genuine barrier to participation or an area where we can improve, we will consider what practical changes can reasonably be made.

17. Monitoring and Review

Creative Heritage will review this policy at least annually and sooner where:

• relevant legislation or guidance changes;

• our activities or organisational structure change significantly;

• feedback identifies an area requiring improvement;

• an incident highlights a weakness in our procedures.

As a small volunteer-led organisation, our monitoring will be proportionate to our size and resources. We will focus on understanding whether our activities are reaching different communities, whether people feel welcome and able to participate, and whether identifiable barriers need to be addressed.

Policy approved: September 2026
Next scheduled review: September 2027