Inclusive Language

By using inclusive language, we aim to create a welcoming environment where everyone feels valued and heard.

At Charity Bank, we recognise the power of language in embodying our values and guiding our work. Our inclusive language guide is designed to help our colleagues and the wider community promote equity and inclusion in society.

Guiding Principles:

To foster an inclusive environment, we adhere to the following principles:

Listen and Learn: Be open to understanding diverse perspectives.

Respect Individual Preferences: Honor the language and terms people choose for themselves.

Equity

Cultural and Contextual Sensitivity: Be mindful of cultural nuances and contexts.

Recognise Specific Ethnicity and Identity: Acknowledge and respect each person’s unique background.

Explore Our Inclusive Language Guide

This guide provides practical advice and examples to help you navigate conversations with sensitivity and awareness, fostering a culture of inclusivity both within our organisation and in our interactions with the broader community.

Key Terms

Age

Use age descriptors such as “people over or under X,”“older people,” and “young people” rather than “the elderly,”“seniors,” or “youths”.

Disability, Physical, and Mental Health

Respect the preferences of individuals with disabilities regarding terminology.

Recognise that non-disabled individuals are not the standard of ‘normal living.’

EDI (Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion)

Our broad strategy to promote fairness, respect, and equal opportunities for all, addressing systemic disparities, encouraging diversity, and fostering inclusivity.

Equality and Equity
  • Equality: Treating everyone the same.
  • Equity: Recognising individual differences and providing resources accordingly to ensure fairness. We strive for equality through promoting equity.
Gender

Understand the difference between gender and sex.  Recognise gender norms and their impact on inequality.

Inclusion

Creating welcoming environments, celebrating differences, and reflecting these principles in structures, practices, and attitudes.

Justice

Justice extends the concept of equity to address systemic issues, aiming to create long-term, sustainable, and equitable access for all.

Marginalisation

Marginalisation or social exclusion refers to the relegation of individuals or groups to the fringes of society due to a lack of access to rights, resources, and opportunities, often related to protected characteristics such as race, gender, age, geography, religion, sexuality, and gender identity.

Neurodiversity

Embrace terms like “neurodiverse,”“neurodivergent,” and “neurotypical” to recognise diverse cognitive functioning.

Race and Ethnicity

Respect the preferences of individuals regarding terminology.  Black other and ethnic identities should be capitalised.

  • Global Majority refers to people who are Black, Asian, Brown, dual heritage, indigenous to the global south, and or have been racialised as ‘ethnic minorities’.  Globally, these groups represent approximately 80% of the world’s population.
Religion and Belief

Acknowledge and respect individuals’ diverse religious and philosophical beliefs, including atheism

Sexual Orientation, Marriage, and Civil Partnerships

Use inclusive terms and respect self-identifications. Get used to inclusive terms like LGBTQIA+ or LGBT+ to encompass a range of orientations and identities.

Unconscious Bias

Recognise and address unconscious bias in decision-making and language use.

Underfunded

Organisations that face barriers in accessing finance and are unable to meet their funding needs.

Underserved

Communities lacking access to essential services and resources.

Vulnerability

People and communities at risk of harm, abuse, or exploitation, often due to social, political, or economic exclusion and discrimination. When speaking about people, we prefer the words “vulnerable” and “marginalised” rather than “disadvantaged”, “poor” or “deprived”.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Charity Bank

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) is part of our mission and ingrained in our values. Learn more about our commitment, EDI vision and action plan.

EDI at Charity Bank