Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)

YTAS’s work involves developing relationships with people from a range of backgrounds and cultures. Working effectively with diversity and promoting equality of opportunity and inclusion is therefore an essential part of our work.  We believe there is no equality of opportunity if diversity and inclusion is not recognised and valued.

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Policy and Action Plan lay out our specific roles and responsibilities concerning EDI. The Policy sets out our company objectives to:

• Comply with and exceed all relevant regulatory requirements.
• Continually improve and monitor our EDI performance.
• Integrate EDI considerations into all business decisions.
• Raise employee awareness of EDI matters.

Our EDI Action Plan

Our EDI Action Plan was established in 2015 and is aligned and embedded with our company’s Strategic Framework, which guides all our sector support, development, and intermediary activities. The YTAS staff team meets regularly to assess and update progress on our Action Plan.

Both our EDI Policy and our EDI Action Plan are shaped by our sector research and consultation. Through this process we have identified several challenges affecting Scotland’s youth theatre groups and leaders in advancing EDI priorities.

Our research reveals an inequality of opportunity for participation and advancement among youth theatre participants and leaders with protected characteristics. It also highlights that Scotland’s youth theatre groups and leaders currently lack the time, resources, knowledge, and skills needed to tackle EDI issues and priorities. Our Action Plan addresses these challenges and aims to resolve them through the following activities and outcomes.

Our EDI Activities

• Providing EDI sector support, training, and resources.
• Providing EDI access bursaries and development grants.
• Providing access to safe spaces in all our events and spaces.
• Ensuring all our events and digital spaces are accessible and inclusive.
• Applying best EDI practice in our work on events and with partners.
• Ensuring inclusion is a principle which is embedded in our activities and membership.
• Improving our EDI knowledge and practice.
• Working to diversify our membership.
• Supporting the EDI developments and activities of our members.

Our EDI Outcomes

• Scotland’s youth theatre leaders have increased knowledge and motivation, and improved skills and connections which enable them to better address EDI priorities.
• Scotland’s youth theatre participants and leaders with protected characteristics have increased opportunity to participate and progress in youth theatre; and improved access to better quality opportunities.
• Scotland’s citizens have increased knowledge and awareness of the benefits of youth theatre in relation to EDI needs and priorities.