Equal Opportunities

We value the unique experience that every individual can bring to our organisation. What would you expect from an organisation that revolves around helping people to achieve their potential?

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Changing Lives exists to support people facing the most challenging of circumstances to make lasting changes in their lives. We work with people from a diverse range of backgrounds and identities, many of whom experience discrimination - in some cases, it has led to or contributed to their struggles, and in others, they are discriminated against because of their challenging circumstances. Supporting people facing discrimination is a fundamental part of how we work.

We are committed to making Changing Lives an inclusive organisation, which enables all of our employees and everyone who uses our services to reach their full potential, no matter their background. We are listening to people inside and outside of our organisation, challenging ourselves and taking action where we need to, to make sure that our culture is one that feels welcoming, positive and supportive for everyone.

We ask new employees to our organisation to complete an equal opportunities monitoring form. This is anonymous and voluntary, however, the information we ask for goes towards helping us ensure we are an inclusive employer by monitoring diversity in the workplace. We want our services, staff teams and leadership to reflect the communities in which we work so that we have the right mix of skills, knowledge and experience so that we are open and relevant for people who need our services and so that we can help in the most effective and creative ways.

Changing Lives Trans Inclusion Position Statement

At Changing Lives, we support people from all walks of life and all backgrounds. We are committed to treating everyone with kindness, dignity and respect, including those who are trans, non-binary, or exploring their gender identity.

We recognise that trans people often face disproportionate barriers when accessing services. We are committed to creating safe, inclusive, and responsive environments across all our work — and to always lead with kindness, understanding, and care.

We strive for the safety of everyone within our services, using individualised risk assessments and care plans to support each person appropriately. Where we are commissioned to provide domestic abuse refuge, we will maintain single-sex refuge spaces in line with the law, while also offering flexible and dispersed accommodation options to ensure no one in need — including trans people — is excluded.

For group work and structured programmes, we aim to create safe, gender-responsive environments, using bespoke materials and approaches that reflect the realities and experiences of everyone we support.

Although the law now allows some services to be delivered based on biological sex, Changing Lives chooses to act with compassion, inclusion, and common sense.

This includes:

Providing universal toilets (single-user, lockable, with internal wash basin) wherever possible, to ensure privacy and dignity for all.
Using individualised assessments to support trans people safely and respectfully.
Offering flexible accommodation and service options where legally and operationally possible.
Ensuring staff are trained in inclusive language, behaviours, and safeguarding approaches.
Partnering with specialist organisations, where possible, to improve support and outcomes for trans people.
We ask all staff, partners, and the people we support to be kind — to listen without judgment, to treat others with respect, and to help build a culture where everyone feels safe, heard, seen, understood and supported.