Gender

English Heritage is committed to improving access to the historic environment for everybody, especially those groups who have traditionally been excluded from engaging and contributing to our shared heritage. We are working hard to ensure that we meet and exceed the legal requirements to involve and consult with different groups in all of our core work.

One of the most positive recent developments has been the establishment of the Gender Equality Group within English Heritage. This group is made up of staff across all pay grades and areas of expertise, all with a real interest in gender equality issues.

Poetry workshop with poet Beyonder at Kenwood House

Family enjoying poetry workshop with poet Beyonder at Kenwood House

What is English Heritage doing to promote gender equality?

The Gender Equality group is in its infancy, but has just produced English Heritage’s first comprehensive Gender Equality Scheme.

Key action points include:

  • building gender awareness training into the induction programme for all new staff 
  • including family-friendly and gender-related points in both the new properties access audit, and the new access policy, as well as the working guidance for site staff
  • the production of management guidance on supporting transgender staff before during and after transition  
Young girl with armour

Young girl with armour

How does change happen?

The Gender Equality Group feed their recommendations and achievements into the Social Inclusion and Diversity Programme Board made up of English Heritage Directors who are responsible for broadening access to heritage at a more strategic level.

This group in turn feeds in to our Executive Board. This way we ensure that people are having a much stronger voice for change in the organisation and we are already beginning to see positive results.

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