1. Our Commitment
At Makani Cambridge CIC, our commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging is rooted in justice, collective care, and lived experience.
We actively work to dismantle barriers — visible and invisible — that prevent people from showing up fully, being valued, and participating with dignity. We challenge all forms of oppression and aim to co-create spaces that centre joy, redistribute power, and honour difference.
We recognise that representation is not enough. We strive to build an organisation where equity is practiced daily, in how we lead, organise, programme, and relate to each other.
This policy sets out how we uphold equity and inclusion in all aspects of our work, from our internal practices to our community-facing programmes.
Makani Cambridge CIC treats all forms of discrimination, harassment, and victimisation as disciplinary offences. Any breach of this policy may result in disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal or termination of contract.
2. Legal Framework
We uphold the principles of the Equality Act 2010, and do not tolerate discrimination based on the nine protected characteristics:
- Age
- Disability
- Gender reassignment
- Marriage and civil partnership
- Pregnancy and maternity
- Race (including colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origin)
- Religion or belief
- Sex
- Sexual orientation
We also recognise that systems of oppression operate across intersecting identities, including but not limited to migration status, language, class, neurodivergence, mental health, and trauma. Our approach is intersectional, anti-oppressive, and trauma-informed.
3. Policy Aims
Through this policy, we aim to:
- Co-create environments that are free from harassment, exclusion, bullying, and all forms of discrimination
- Foster cultures of dignity, belonging, and collective care, where people’s identities and contributions are valued
- Ensure our recruitment, collaborations, and community activities are transparent, accessible, and power-aware
- Respond to harm with care, accountability, and a commitment to learning and repair
4. Responsibilities
The Directors hold ultimate responsibility for ensuring this policy is active, meaningful, and regularly reviewed.
All Makani directors, collaborators, and volunteers share responsibility for practising equity and inclusion in how we show up, relate, and work together.
We are all accountable for fostering a culture of reflection, consent, care, and curiosity.
5. Our Practices
Recruitment and Access to Opportunities
- Our recruitment processes are designed to be inclusive, values-led, and barrier-aware
- We advertise roles and opportunities through community-rooted and culturally relevant channels
- We recognise lived experience as a form of expertise, alongside learned knowledge
- We create space for individuals to thrive in ways that reflect their needs, capacities, and aspirations
Service and Programme Design
- We design our activities with communities, not for them
- Our programmes are built on the principles of co-creation, cultural safety, trauma-informed practice, and joy
- We strive to make our events and offerings physically, emotionally, and culturally accessible
- Our language and imagery reflect the beauty and diversity of our communities and avoid tokenism or stereotypes
6. Handling Concerns
If you experience or witness harm, exclusion, or discrimination within a Makani Cambridge space, we take it seriously.
You can raise a concern confidentially by emailing info@makanicambridge.com. We are committed to listening with care and responding with accountability. We are also exploring anonymous feedback channels as part of our continuous development.
No one will be penalised for raising a genuine concern in good faith.
7. Monitoring and Review
This policy is a living document. It will be reviewed every 12 months by the Directors and updated in collaboration with our wider community. We see equity not as a fixed destination, but a continuous practice that grows as we listen, reflect, and learn.