Equality, diversity and inclusion
Our EDI manifesto
ThinkForward is committed to being a place where all can thrive. We place equity, diversity and inclusion at the heart of all we do as an employer, in our work with young people and within our sphere of influence. We value authenticity, compassion, collaboration, inclusion and innovation, and are intentional about underpinning these values with equity, diversity and inclusion practices.
We are working to create a world where our young people are more likely to thrive, and the absence of uniformity is considered a strength. We are wholeheartedly committed to continuously learning, challenging the status quo and creating a space where people’s ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, disabilities, learning abilities or socio-economic origins are not the defining characteristics of their potential for success. We ensure that all voices are heard and that each person’s strengths are valued and utilised.
To embed our manifesto into ThinkForward practices, our EDI group is committed to continuous implementation and monitoring of key areas including representation, learning and education, policies and procedures, and accountability.
Our anti-racism journey
In 2020 the global Black Lives Matter movement compelled us, as individuals and as an organisation,
to reflect on our approach to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI). We carried out an equalities audit; implemented staff consultation workshops; reviewed our programme design; introduced EDI mentoring support; and began to develop an equalities strategy. We undertook more intentional recruitment to significantly diversify both our board
and staff team.
In 2021 a unique commissioning opportunity arose to enable us to design a programme directly supporting young Black men who were at risk of exclusion to transition from education to post-16 destinations. This became our Future Leaders programme.
In 2024 we refocused our attention to better understand systemic and institutional racism faced by our global majority colleagues and young people. We embarked on a series of staff learning sessions in partnership with 7PK, which covered the history of racism in the UK; the use of language in relation to equality, equity and justice; how to approach courageous conversations about race; and taking responsibility for our actions.
Watch 7PK’s video below to learn more about our race equity journey.
Our work with young people
We have an ongoing commitment to driving meaningful change for young people and their journey to education, employment and training, fuelled by a dedication to creating a more just and equitable society for all young people.
Our flagship programme FutureMe supports young people who are most at risk of becoming NEET when they leave school, to prepare to secure employment. We have adapted this programme to tailor it to the needs of specific groups of young people who benefit most from this extra support.
Making Strides
Our Making Strides programme supports young adults with learning disabilities and/or autism to transition into sustainable paid employment. We also work with employers to provide accessible employment opportunities for young adults with learning disabilities and/or autism.
Future Leaders
Our Future Leaders programme supports Black young people and South Asian young women to overcome the challenges they face and prepare to transition from school to positive post-16 destinations. Young people receive coaching, workplace visits and mentoring from professionals from similar backgrounds to themselves, to support them to develop the confidence, independence and skills they need to create brighter futures.
She Speaks
Our She Speaks project supports young women to develop employability action plans and gain skills to achieve their goals. Young women receive one-to-one coaching from a female coach and participate in gender-based group coaching, peer mentoring and employability activities, meeting female employees from a range of industries.
Young women also have the opportunity to attend creative workshops to learn about the history of women’s equality, feel empowered to use their voice and design campaigns about issues that resonate with them.
Work Forward
Our Work Forward programme provides post-16 young people with a specialist Progression Coach for up to one year. Coaches offer support through one-to-one coaching sessions, group workshops and facilitating employer connections.
Young & Black
In 2021 young people and their coaches came together for the Young & Black project, to explore and challenge issues around race, identity and equity. We held creative workshops where young people were inspired to create artwork.
Their artwork is displayed in a The book and exhibition also include an open letter to young people signed by ThinkForward, business partners, funders and schools which contains a commitment to create inclusive, diverse spaces where young people from all backgrounds can thrive.
Our recruitment process
We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment for all applicants.
If you would like to learn more about what it’s like to work at ThinkForward, visit our Employee Experience webpage.
We recognise reporting pay gaps is not mandatory for a charity of our size, however we voluntarily report ours.
We have worked hard to ensure our ethnicity pay gap is almost at parity which is a vast improvement on previous years. Our gender pay gap has gone from -8.9% (women being paid on average more than men) to men being paid on average 6% more. This is due to some higher paid female staff leaving and one male apprentice leaving.
Our EDI group
We have a dedicated EDI group, made up of ThinkForward staff members who work to ensure EDI is embedded across all areas of ThinkForward.
Our EDI group is currently working on:
- our recruitment process
- policies and procedures
- holding the executive team accountable in relation to their EDI goals.