Our summary

Inclusivity is at the forefront of Witchfest’s agenda. We believe that all people should be free to practice their path without prejudice or judgment. This has always been a guiding principal for Witchfest, and in earlier times was stated in the simplistic phase “Everyone is welcome, providing they come with an open mind and respect other visitors and staff”. As such, we have set out some guidelines below on the standard of practice we expect all Witchfest staff, volunteers, speakers, traders and guests to follow.

The law

The UK Equality Act (2010) states that every private, public and voluntary organisation must not discriminate against their employees or the people that use their services because of particular protected characteristics.

Protected characteristics include but are not limited to; Age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

It also encourages Positive Action so that public bodies (such as Witchfest) can provide additional benefits to some groups to help tackle disadvantages.

What we do

  1. Be a platform that promotes minority voices
  2. Listen to what is requested of us, and action changes where possible
  3. Ensure our policies are clear and communicated
  4. Ensure all events are accessible
  5. Speak out when we see areas of the community where equality can be improved
  6. Speak out when we see clear and dangerous misinformation
  7. Create a safe place for those who need it
  8. Follow safeguarding guidelines throughout the organisation
  9. Consistently demonstrating inclusive, nurturing leadership at all levels
  10. Promote mental health action and awareness consistently
  11. Encourage inclusive language
  12. Be transparent about our representation
  13. Ensure policies and training are updated regularly to reflect best practice
  14. Demand commitment to our diversity expectations from all suppliers, speakers and traders
  15. Seek feedback and measure progress
  16. Be transparent in our errors. The only way to grow is to accept past faults and learn from them

What we demand

  1. Use mindful and respectful language at all times
  2. Do not assume gender or pronouns, use gender-inclusive language
  3. Trans rights are human rights
  4. Remember that not all disabilities are visible
  5. Be proactive in self-education
  6. Be curious
  7. Speak up when you see areas of the organisation where equality can be improved
  8. Challenge stereotypes
  9. Be aware of your own privileges
  10. Remember no two paths are the same
  11. Listen to lived experience
  12. Support each other
  13. Be aware of unconscious bias’ such as ageism, attribution bias* or confirmation bias**
  14. Remember that education is the key to equality. Be willing to listen and learn
  15. Be willing to apologise

Resources

* attribution bias is the tendency to explain a person’s behaviour by referring to their character rather than any situational factor. For example; if someone was to cut the line at an event you might assume them rude or arrogant, but they may have a legitimate reason to be doing so such as a disability.

** confirmation bias is the tendency to process information by looking for, or interpreting, information that is consistent with their existing beliefs. For example; assuming all Germanic pagans must be white because of popular media perception, despite archeological evidence to the contrary.