Equality Focus Group Minutes: 19/07/23

Attendees

• Hannah Powis (HP)
• John Jennings (JJ)
• Liz Finney (LF)
• Chris Ashton (CA)
• Louse Clarke (LC)
• Lesley Hathaway (LH)
• Rob Trent (RT)
• Simon Shave (SS)
• Heather Hoggart (HH)
• Nick Holmes (NH)
• Matt Sturgeon (MS)
• Sarah Jelfs (SJ)

Apologies 

• Steve Cuss 
• Nick Osborne
• Princess Beckford
• Rachel Maidment
• Nick Bishop
• DSA representative  

Meeting Minutes

• HP welcomed everyone to the meeting and updated the group on the clubs EDI progress over the last few months with particular attention to the Premier League EDI standard (PLEDIS) and progress towards the club’s EDI priority areas.
• HP talked about the club’s Fan Engagement Plan with reference to lines of communication to ensure that members of the EFG and working groups represented on the EFG have a clear line of communication to the Fan Advisory Board (FAB)through the EFG representative.
  • HP will share the Fan Engagement Plan with the group as it is developed. 
  • There will be an opportunity at each EFG for members to raise points with the FAB EFG representative. 
  • HP introduced to the group an idea of smaller working groups which focus specifically on each of our EDI priority areas and will circulate more information through the group. This will form part of the club’s EDI strategy and Fan Engagement Plan. 
• HP introduced the group to the new version of the accessibility card with lanyard and asked the group to feedback:
  • SS noted that the text should be bigger. 
  • NH asked if there was any scope to have a version of the card with braille, HP will investigate and report back to the group.
  • The group discussed that it would be beneficial to have the confidential reporting line number of the back of the card. 
• HP spoke through the Club’s season long plan which covers EDI and matchday themes and asked the group to consider if a reduction of matchday themes would increase impact. 
  • Groups consensus was yes.
  • The group suggested that individual disabilities were considered as part of the approach with SS suggesting CP awareness day to be included.
  • HP will liaise with CA and LC around Rainbow laces. 
  • HP will share the club’s season long plan with EFG members for further feedback. 
• LH said that Cherry Tuesdays going on sale at the same time as two fixtures caused some issues with those buying in person. 
  • JJ will review with ticketing manager after feedback from supporters.
• The group discussed issues involving people standing in row A with suggestions around how this could be improved:
  • A suggestion from the group was for players to be involved in a short video which highlights the impact of people standing in front of row A. 
• HP closed the meeting and will send further information to the group as a follow up.