Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan 2023 - 2026

Company Statement - October 2023

This Action Plan articulates Braw Clan’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) strategy for the period October 2023 - October 2026. Braw Clan is a
new company, founded in 2021, and has only produced one play so far. We’re at the beginning of our journey and intend to create an inclusive
culture from the ground up. We know that hinges on the decisions we make every day - they’re what make Braw Clan an inclusive organisation: who
we work with, whose stories we tell, who we reach out to in our marketing, who we ask for feedback and which suppliers we use. We are committed
to producing new ensemble work in a variety of formats, spaces and locations, with special commitment to accessibility and innovation.

Vision for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)

Braw Clan is committed to creating and supporting the development of Scots language theatre, shaped by a diverse community of artists for diverse
audiences, in a range of formats. We are committed to a policy of equal opportunities in employment and integrated casting in which individuals
are selected and treated based on their relevant merits and abilities regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, ethnic diversity,
religion/belief or lack of any religion/belief, sex/gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy and parenting, marital/civil partnership status or socio-
economic deprivation and are given equal opportunities within the company. The aim of this policy is to ensure that no job applicant, employee,
freelance worker, audience member, project participant or trustee receives less favourable treatment on grounds related to any protected
characteristic; and will work to remove all barriers to equity of opportunity. Braw Clan monitors all recruitment processes, and this policy is
reviewed every 6 months by its Board to ensure that the company is fully compliant with the legal requirements of the Equality Act 2010. The EDI
Action Plan is reviewed annually.

Making Inclusive Daily Decisions

These 5 habits are how we convert the complexity and challenge of EDI work into simple actions we take every day, ensuring that Braw Clan creates
a legacy to be proud of and remains relevant in the future.

1 - Make sure there’s a diverse mix of people in every group we bring together.
2 - Invite all of those people to join the conversation by valuing, hearing and involving them.
3 - Deliberately seek out alternative perspectives when asking for feedback and advice.
4 - Ask what we can do differently so we include more people.
5 - Get to know more people who are not just like us

EDI Statements

• Braw Clan is commited to equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Braw Clan is committed to equity of practice, ensuring fairness, impartiality and even handedness in our work.
• Braw Clan offers a safe and comfortable working environment and expects the same from its partners
• Braw Clan commits to providing powerful roles for women, on and off stage
• Braw Clan actively supports colleagues in the event of racist, sexist, ableist or discriminatory reviews / press
• Braw Clan takes a zero-tolerance to racism, bullying and discrimination of any kind
• Braw Clan commits to providing opportunities for early career theatre makers
• Braw Clan has a robust Dignity at Work policy

Artistic Development

Braw Clan is committed to creating and supporting the development of Scots language theatre, shaped by a diverse community of artists for diverse
audiences, in a range of formats. Our work does not discriminate on grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, ethnic diversity,
religion/belief or lack of any religion/belief, sex/gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy and parenting, marital/civil partnership status or socio-
economic deprivation. Braw Clan is an accredited Living Wage employer.

Integrated Employment

• Braw Clan’s objective when designing creative teams, including casting performers, for a project will be for the team to reflect the composition of
society in terms of race, sexuality, sexual orientation, and disability
• Our principal criteria for selecting an individual will be the person's ability to fulfil the role or tasks irrespective of his/her/their sexual orientation,
sexuality, ethnic diversity or disability or any other protected characteristic
• Braw Clan will promote positive images in casting and will not perpetuate traditional stereotypes of ethnic diversity, disability, sexuality and
sexual orientation. Writers, directors, designers, and all those involved in the creative process will be made aware of their responsibilities in this
respect
• Integrated casting is part of Braw Clan’s EDI policy and practice

Administration Practices

Braw Clan’s commitments in administration include:
• Reviewing the composition of the staff and analysing audience profiles whenever possible
• Offering Pay What You Decide ticket prices so as not to discriminate on socio-economic grounds
• Advertising vacancies widely, alongside a statement on equality, diversity, and inclusion
• Reviewing annually, or when new legislation requires, the company’s policies and handbook

Communication

Braw Clan’s commitments through communication include:
• Make our EDI Policy available on our website
• Using digital technology to market events and show how audiences can access opportunities
• Work with qualified partners to create BSL interpreted promotional videos and audio flyers for productions
• Including a link to our EDI policy in our email signatures
• Sending out inclusion updates to our staff to remind them of our commitment to inclusion and provide chances to get involved

Education

Braw Clan’s commitments in education include:
• Working with schools, colleges and universities to offer training and employment opportunities
• Creating training in Scots language theatre for artists

Equity’s Safe Spaces Agreement

We read out this statement at the beginning of every rehearsal period:

“Every single one of us working on this project is entitled to work in a safe space: a space free of fear, a space free of bullying and harassment of any
kind. We will work together honouring our differences and celebrating the gifts we each bring to the table. We will treat one another with politeness
and respect at all times, and if we are subjected to or witness bullying or harassment, we will speak out knowing that our voices will be heard and we
will be taken seriously. Together we can create a safe space."

Characteristics covered by this Action Plan

Braw Clan’s EDI Action Plan for 2023-2026 specifically addresses:

Socio-economic deprivation
We’re covering this characteristic because there are areas of Clydesdale, such as Douglas, Rigside, Coalburn and Carnwath (where we are currently
running a project) which rank in the most deprived 10% of communities in Scotland by the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation 2020. The
Clydesdale South data zone as a whole covers a large rural area and includes communities in the most deprived 30% in Scotland.

Disability
We’re covering this characteristic because we’re a new company and want to draw our collaborators from the widest possible pool of talent. To become a major force in our industry, we need to secure and retain high quality, skilled and loyal staff. And in order for our work to be the best it can be, we need people with valuable skills, experience, creativity and perspectives in our board meetings, rehearsal rooms and audiences. We want to increase understanding of disability, challenge attitudes and ensure disabled people have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise
their aspirations.

Sex
We’re covering this characteristic because women’s stories, ideas, voices, skills and potential are at the heart of our work. Women are underrepresented at every level of the theatre industry. In 2019 Equity found that 72% of female performers felt pressured to “look a particular way” in order to win roles, while Stage Directors UK reported on the intimidation of female members of a company, the bullying of female directors and the “ghosting” of women returning to work from raising children. Women artists have also been hit particularly hard by the pandemic.

Company Values

These values set out what we believe as a company. They’re a set of rules we embrace and abide by because they reflect Braw Clan’s unique culture,
the moral code of our organisation and hold us all to the right standard of behaviour. Our values are:

1 - Creative Collaboration
Great achievements are almost always the result of not one, but many. We bring our best, share ideas freely, listen to each other, embrace compromise and work with empathy and trust to do great things together.

2 - Community
Our organisational practices allow us to collectively learn from and improve all that we do and continually evolve Braw Clan’s community, culture and creative power. Our best work is grounded in authenticity and inclusion, so we make it comfortable and safe for everyone to bring their whole, real selves to Braw Clan and feel that they are really welcome, valued and heard.

3- Responsibility
We make big decisions slowly, seeking out multiple sources of information and a diverse range of perspectives. We take a curious and collaborative
approach to opportunities, taking time to fully understand and accept the consequences of our actions. We’re consistent, open and transparent. We
take ownership of our commitments and empower and trust others to fulfill theirs.

4 - Grace
We’re here to get it right, not be right. We listen to questioning voices. Choosing between two extreme options scuppers all the benefits of one, so we commit to searching for a third way that incorporates the best of both. We’re thankful for what we’ve got - most of all each other.

5 - Courage To Shape A Better Future
We cherish the environment: locally, nationally and internationally. We make work that treads lightly on the earth but reverberates in the hearts and minds of our audiences and participants. We practice equality, diversity and inclusion every day, at all levels of our organisation. We create belief that change is possible by motivating others, activating their skills, accelerating success and offering confident leadership.

6 - Play
We’re purpose-driven people, dedicated to serving something beyond ourselves, but we take time to play together, revel in the Scots language and create meaningful experiences for their own sake. Play is its own thing. Play is engaging and all-encompassing. Play makes you feel light and free, even when it itself is deep and complex. Play is the companion of joy and leads to healthier, happier collaboration.