Gold Equality Standard for Alliance Homes

A Portishead company has become the second organisation in the South West to be awarded the Gold Equality Standard, from Equality South West.

Alliance Homes, a social enterprise that provides homes and housing-related services across North Somerset, was able to demonstrate that equality and diversity is an integral part of the organisation's culture, and not an 'add-on'.

The scheme celebrates employers who actively promote equality and diversity, and who achieve fairness in the workplace. It has been developed in partnership with Equality North East and with other organisations from all sectors including Job Centre Plus and TUC Northern Region.

Andy Perry, Equality and Diversity Manager at Alliance Homes, said: "Achieving the Gold Equality Standard has taken us through a process which has raised awareness, both internally and externally, of what we do in relation to equality and diversity for our customers, staff and communities. At Alliance Homes, equality and diversity is about better understanding the needs of service users and staff so that we can try to meet them in the day-to-day delivery of our services."