Equality and Diversity Policy

Introduction

Truro Farmers Market is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive
environment for everyone, including customers, traders, volunteers, committee
members and contractors. We value diversity and strive to ensure that everyone is
treated fairly and with respect, regardless of their background. This policy is based
on the Equality Act 2010 and applies to all aspects of our market's operations.

Our Commitment
We are committed to:
Promoting equality of opportunity for all.
Eliminating discrimination, harassment, and victimisation.
Fostering good relations between different groups.
Creating a market where everyone feels valued and respected.

Protected Characteristics
This policy protects individuals from discrimination based on the following protected
characteristics:
Age
Disability
Gender reassignment
Marriage or civil partnership
Pregnancy or maternity
Race
Religion or belief
Sex
Sexual orientation

Types of Discrimination
We prohibit all forms of discrimination, including:
Direct discrimination: Treating someone less favourably because of a protected
characteristic.
Indirect discrimination: Applying a provision, criterion, or practice that puts people
with a protected characteristic at a disadvantage.
Harassment: Unwanted conduct related to a protected characteristic that violates a
person’s dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or
offensive environment.
Victimisation: Treating someone less favourably because they have made a
complaint of discrimination or have given evidence in a discrimination case.

Responsibilities

Market Management: Responsible for implementing and monitoring this policy,
training and dealing with complaints of discrimination.

Traders: Expected to treat all customers, volunteers, traders and contractors with
respect and to comply with this policy.

Volunteers/committee and contractors: Responsible for upholding this policy and
reporting any instances of discrimination they witness or experience.

Customers: Encouraged to support our commitment to equality and diversity by
treating everyone with respect.

Trader recruitment and selection
We will ensure that our recruitment and selection processes are fair and transparent,
and that all applicants are considered solely on their merits.

Training
We will provide training to volunteers and staff on equality and diversity, including
their responsibilities under this policy and how to deal with complaints of
discrimination.

Complaints Procedure
Any person who believes they have experienced discrimination at the market should
report it to the Market Manager. We will investigate all complaints promptly and
confidentially. Stewart Girvan – stewart@trurofarmers.co.uk . We will
strive to resolve complaints informally where possible, but, if necessary, we will
follow a formal complaints procedure. Appendix 1 for our detailed complaints
procedure.

Monitoring and Review
We will regularly monitor the effectiveness of this policy and review it annually or as
needed to ensure it remains relevant and up to date. We will collect data (respecting
privacy) to help us understand the diversity of our market users and identify any
areas for improvement.

Communication
This policy will be made available to all traders, volunteers/committee,
staff/contractors and customers.

Rural Considerations
We recognise that rural areas may have specific equality and diversity challenges,
such as access for people with disabilities or limited public transport. We will strive to
address these challenges where possible and work with local organisations to
promote inclusion. For example, we will consider the accessibility of the market
location and layout for people with mobility impairments.

Contact Information

For any questions or concerns regarding this policy, please contact: Stewart Girvan
stewart@trurofarmers.co.uk

This policy is designed to be a living document and will be reviewed and updated as
needed. We are committed to creating a truly inclusive and welcoming farmers
market for everyone.