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Equality and Diversity
Berneslai Homes is committed to providing excellent services to all our customers, regardless of age, disability, race, gender, sexual orientation or religion.
How our services affect you
We check whether our policies and the work we do, have a different effect on different people. In particular, we look at whether they affect people differently because they are older or younger, disabled, lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT), are from another country, speak a different language and have a certain faith. This process is called Equality Impact Assessment. Visit the Equality Impact Assessment section to see what we found out over the last 3 years when we checked all our services and policies.
Contacting our customers
We have done a lot of work to make sure we contact you, our customers, in the ways that are best for you.
So we have made sure we know if you need large print documents, British Sign language interpreters and other language interpreters. We also know what to do when we visit you, such as using a certain door, waiting a bit longer for you to answer or knocking loudly, so you can avoid those irritating missed calls!
The following are some of the ways we communicate with you:
- Telephone Interpretation: we use Language Line which supports 150 languages. So customers who need to talk to us in their own language about the services we provide can do so. Through a three-way telephone conversation, interpreters accurately and securely pass on information between you and the Berneslai Homes representative.
- Face to Face Interpretation: for longer interviews it is usually best to have an interpreter present. When it is appropriate we will arrange for a face-to-face interpreter to be present (subject to availability).
- Translations: we promise to help our customers understand all our leaflets, but we may not translate them. We will translate some information and we will make a decision when we get the request. The languages where we have some translations already are; Arabic, Bulgarian, Chinese Mandarin, Farsi, French, Greek, Kurdish Sorani, Ndebele, Polish, Russian and Spanish.
- British Sign Language Interpreters: we will provide British Sign Language interpreters, lip speakers and a range of other help for our deaf customers.
- RNID Typetalk: through this service, we can help people who have a hearing or speech impairment. The RNID Typetalk provides a link between the textphone user and the hearing person.
- Braille: we have some information in Braille and on request, we may be able to provide further information in Braille.
- Audio: we have some doucments in Audio format.
- Browsealoud: this is to help people with visual impairments access our website. This software is free and can be installed on your computer. Visit the Browsealoud page for further details.
- Other Formats: we are looking at other ways of providing information in other languages, for example information in English and other languages on tape or CD. If this would help you, please let us know and we will try to help.
We would be very interested to hear about the experiences people with specific and individual needs have had in contacting Berneslai Homes.
What do you think of the services we provide, such as large print, British Sign Language interpreters, translations and telephone interpreters?
What services would you like to see in the future?
We get involved in community events. In 2008, we took part in several events in the All Barnsley Diversity Festival Calendar, including providing the British Buffet at the Taste of Cultural Diversity Event in the Town Hall (the pie and peas were a great hit!).
We host the Holocaust Memorial Day event together with Council’s Community Safety Service and in January 2009 it was the first major event to take place in the new Civic Assembly room. Over 200 people attended and were able to appreciate the event and the magnificent new Town Centre venue.
You can read all about the events we have been involved in, in our regular Diversity News. You can dowload back copies as below:
Barnsley Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Forum
The Barnsley Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Forum was launched in July 2008 and Berneslai Homes sits on the LGBT forum steering group, providing support, advice and guidance. In 2009, the LGBT community will organise Barnsley's first Gay Pride event. This is on Sunday 13 September 2009, and includes the launch of the All Barnsley Festival 2009. You can find out more at www.barnsleypride.org.uk.
For further details on any information on this page, please contact our Equality and Diversity Manager on: 01226 772755 or email CustomerServices@berneslaihomes.co.uk
Useful information:
- Single Equality Scheme
- Calendar of Religious Events
- Domestic Abuse
- Equality & Diversity useful links
- Equality & Diversity Policy
- A guide to Equality and Diversity
- Hate Crime
- Community Cohesion Strategy 2008-2010
- Inspace dignity at work policy
- New Arrivals Website
- Black and Ethnic Minority Forum
- Interpreting Service