Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
#BRAVENOTPERFECT
Cancer has a devastating impact on the lives of children and young people, from all backgrounds, and
all walks of life. We operate within a system of structural inequity, a system that provides
advantages for some members and disadvantages for others. We cannot make sure that no family faces
cancer alone if we aren’t doing our part to address the inequity that exists in our health
systems and within our own organisation.
When a child is diagnosed with cancer it threatens everything, for them and their family. At a time
when they should be busy being children, enjoying their rollercoaster teenage years or finding their
feet at uni, life becomes full of fear. Fear of treatment, but also of families being torn apart, of
overwhelming money worries, mental health stretched to breaking point, of having nowhere to turn, no
one to talk to.
The next step for Young Lives, following ‘Brave not Perfect’, must build on the
journey so far, reflecting the organisational strategic commitment to dismantling inequity, and
focusing on action.
OUR DEIB PLAYBOOK
Our playbook contains our principles for addressing DEIB at Young Lives vs Cancer. Our
playbook is our foundation, it is how we will make our decisions, and make sure act with
integrity. We will use our values (Bravery, Integrity, Confidence, One Team) as a guide
and underpin our approach to DEIB through these.
BRAVERY
- We will be proactive and courageous; we will do what is right not what is easy.
- We will stand up to any behaviour that goes against our values.
- We will communicate often and regularly; we will encourage radical candour and
create spaces to hold difficult conversations necessary for our collective journey
towards healing.
- We will cede our power, and create the conditions for the empowerment of our staff
and volunteers to authentically act out DEIB.
- We will be transparent about our journey and accountable for our progress.
INTEGRITY
- We will model the good practice we want to see, by co-producing our activities from
start to finish with our staff, volunteers, children, young people and families,
with the explicit aim of blending diverse lived experience, with the right skills
and expertise.
- We will seek to understand the lived experience of all our stakeholders. We will be
intentional about understanding the experiences of those from minoritised
communities, recognising intersectionality and including their voices in our
decision-making.
- We will call things what they are, and speak about inequity with authenticity, we
won't dilute any messages no matter how uncomfortable.
- We will stand against ALL forms of discrimination, identifying it, challenging it,
and using our power and influence to leverage systematic change.
CONFIDENCE
- We will ensure that DEIB is the golden thread that runs through our new brand
ambition and propositions. We will ensure everyone is clear about how DEIB is
essential to our core purpose.
- We will be open-minded and flexible in our approach to DEIB. We will be responsive
to changes in the external environment and we will accept that priorities may change
as we learn more about the nuances of the lived experiences of our staff,
volunteers, children, young people and their families.
- We will utilise a test 'n' learn approach that will encourage innovation and provide
staff and volunteers with the freedom to fail. We know the journey will not be
perfect, so the sooner the failure occurs, the sooner the learning begins.
- We will ensure our staff and volunteers are supported to make informed, inclusive
and equitable decisions.
ONE TEAM
- We will support, value and celebrate our differences, encouraging everyone who
engages with us to bring their whole-selves to every interaction.
- We will build on what we do well. Anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive practice
are at the core of social work values. We will utilise this knowledge, skills and
experience to build for the future.
- We will work collaboratively across our Young Lives vs Cancer community to harness
our collective power, recognising the whole is greater than the sum of our parts to
create systematic change.
