At Holyoake, we are committed to providing opportunities for individuals to enhance their quality of life. Our values of passion, integrity, courage, innovation and connection guide us in support of individuals, families and communities that are impacted by alcohol, other drugs and mental ill health. In line with our vision to empower people to change their lives, making better futures possible, we are proud to have developed a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion framework.
This framework reflects our commitment to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances. We believe that everyone deserves to have a positive life and optimum wellbeing, and we are dedicated to providing the support and resources needed to achieve this. Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion framework serves as a guide in our continuous efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in our organisation and the communities we serve.
Why DEI is Important
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are values that align with Holyoake’s values, guiding our organisation and our work. Diversity is the celebration and embracing of differences
among people, such as their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, age, and more. Equity ensures that everyone has equal access to opportunities and
resources, and that they are treated fairly and respectfully. Inclusion is about creating a sense of belonging and community, where everyone can participate, contribute, and
thrive.
The values of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are important because they benefit everyone. They help us foster a culture of innovation, creativity, and collaboration, where diverse perspectives and experiences are valued and leveraged. They support us to serve our consumers and stakeholders better, by understanding and meeting their diverse needs and expectations. They help us to attract and retain the best talent, by providing a supportive and rewarding environment where everyone can grow and succeed. They also help us to make a positive impact on society, by promoting social justice, human rights, and global citizenship.
Statement of Intent
We are committed to advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion within our organisation. We intend to do this by:
- Developing and implementing policies and practices that promote DEI at all levels of the organisation, from leadership to staff, and across all stakeholders.
- Providing regular training and education to leadership and staff on DEI aspects, such as cultural competency, unconscious bias, allyship, and microaggressions.
- Establishing and supporting employee resource groups, affinity networks, and mentoring programmes that foster inclusion and empowerment.
- Engaging with our staff, clients and stakeholders in a culturally responsive and respectful manner and seeking their feedback and input on how we can improve our services and outcomes.
- Partnering with external organisations and groups that share our vision and values, and supporting DEI initiatives, causes and celebrations.
- Monitoring and evaluating our progress and performance on DEI goals, utilising validated indicators and benchmarking, and reporting on our achievements and challenges.
We invite our employees, consumers, and stakeholders to join us on this journey, and to hold us accountable for our actions and outcomes. Together, we can make DEI a reality.
Our Commitment
The Holyoake DEI Framework is designed to help Holyoake move towards becoming a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive organisation. The framework values inclusiveness, respect, and fairness, and is reflected against the commitments:
Commitment to our Workforce and Consumers:
At Holyoake, we firmly believe in celebrating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). This commitment extends to both our dedicated workforce, and the safe spaces we provide
for consumers. Our journey reflects significant steps towards fostering DEI within our organisation. This commitment will be communicated to internal and external stakeholders openly, regularly, and consistently.
Formation of the DEI Committee:
A crucial development is the establishment of our dedicated Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. Comprising employees from various backgrounds, lived experiences,
and locations. They work closely with other Committees, including the RAP Committee, and contribute to organisational initiatives. This committee represents the diverse talents and perspectives at Holyoake, with input from Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), as needed. Holyoake is committed to its mission, recognising it as key to a workplace where every individual’s unique perspectives are acknowledged and celebrated.
Celebrating Uniqueness – Our pledge to consumers:
Our commitment to DEI goes beyond internal processes. We reference WAPHA’s Cultural Competency Framework, incorporating insights and principles into fostering cultural competency and equity. This pledge to honouring the uniqueness of each consumer guides our journey and strategy to better serve our diverse consumer base.
Weaving Cultural Competency into our fabric:
As part of our commitment to DEI, we recognise the importance of cultural competency within our communities, including First Nations, LGBTIQA+ and CALD communities. Our services aim to be inclusive and culturally sensitive, guided by principles of respect, understanding, and meaningful interaction
“Our vision for Holyoake is to empower people to change their
lives, making better futures possible.
We invite everyone who shares our passion for DEI to join us in making
our organisation a more inclusive, equitable, and diverse place for all.”
Communities in Focus
We believe that diversity, equity and inclusion are essential for creating a positive impact in the lives of our consumers and the communities we serve. Our framework applies
to all stakeholders, but especially to those who may face marginalisation, discrimination or barriers to access our services. In particular, we focus on the following communities:
First Nations people: We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land and waters where we operate, and we pay our respects to their Elders past and present. We recognise the sovereignty, culture and history of First Nations people, and we strive to work with them in a culturally safe and respectful way. We aim to improve the health and well-being outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consumers by delivering services that are responsive, accessible and appropriate to their needs and preferences.
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities: We celebrate the diversity of cultures, languages and backgrounds of our consumers, staff and partners. We value the richness and strength that multiculturalism brings to our society. We aim to provide services that are culturally competent and sensitive, that aim to surmount barriers, and that address the specific challenges and opportunities faced by CALD consumers, their families and communities. We also support the rights and dignity of refugees and asylum seekers, and we work to ensure they can have access to quality care and support.
People living with diverse genders and sexualities – LGBTQIA+: We affirm and respect the diversity of gender identities, expressions and sexual orientations of our consumers and staff. We recognise the discrimination, stigma and particular risks that LGBTQIA+ people may experience in accessing health and social services, and we commit to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for them. We aim to provide services that are affirming, respectful and tailored to the needs and preferences of
LGBTQIA+ consumers.
People living with disability: We acknowledge the lived experiences and perspectives of people living with disability and their carers, and we uphold their rights to participate fully and equally in society. We recognise the barriers and challenges that people living with disability may face in accessing health and social services, and we work to navigate or remove them. We aim to provide services that are accessible, inclusive and empowering, and that support the choices and goals of people living with disability.
Age Diversity: We value the voices and contributions of people of all ages, and we support their rights to have a say in matters that affect them. We recognise the diversity
and complexity of issues that people of all ages may encounter in their health and well-being, and we work to address them holistically. We aim to provide services that
are engaging, supportive, relevant and empowering, which promote the resilience and potential of everyone.