Accreditations
Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy
Heritage Services is committed to welcoming new and diverse audiences.
We believe that a valued and diverse workforce will be more creative, productive and help to widen our audiences, staff and volunteers.
We are committed to creating an environment in which our staff, volunteers, visitors, and partners are treated fairly and are given equitable opportunities. We want our sites, exhibitions, collections, and communications to be accessible to all. We aim to create a culture that respects and values the differences between individuals and where everyone can belong.
Heritage Services has an EDI Working Group which exists to champion, embed, and advance equality, diversity and inclusion across the heritage portfolio. The group acts as a visible, accessible resource for colleagues; strengthens understanding of diverse lived experiences; and supports the service to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for both staff and visitors. The group’s aim is turning EDI strategy into meaningful, sustainable action and hold the organisation accountable for progress.
Aims
- Promote EDI across Heritage Services and encourage inclusive practice in teams and projects.
- Influence and support fair processes such as recruitment and decision‑making.
- Provide a safe point of contact for colleagues seeking advice, support or signposting.
- Act as a knowledge hub, sharing resources, guidance, and links to external expertise.
- Communicate EDI strategy progress through updates, shared minutes, and visibility across the service.
- Offer support when staff face challenging or inappropriate behaviour, escalating issues where needed.
- Promote and coordinate EDI training opportunities for all staff and volunteers.
- Celebrate diversity within Heritage Services through positive representation and awareness‑raising.
- Work collaboratively to set priorities, monitor progress, and ensure actions are measurable and meaningful.
If you have any questions about EDI and the work of the working group, please email [email protected]
Our Sustainability Action Plan
Heritage Services is taking steps to reduce its environmental impact and mitigate the causes of climate change – greenhouse gas emissions. We are delivering on a three-year action plan (2024/25-2027/28) which aims to accelerate progress towards net zero while safeguarding historic assets and maintaining financial performance.
You can read our Heritage Services Sustainability Action Plan here.
Our Sustainability Action Plan is structured around three pillars.
- Reduce Scope 1 & 2 emissions by 52% compared to 2019
- Achieve zero waste to landfill and improve visitor recycling
- Improve the accuracy of Scope 3 emissions data
- Ensure 100% of permanent staff are certified Carbon Literate
- Support suppliers to measure and manage their own emissions
- Improve how we communicate climate change with visitors and key stakeholders
- Lead on climate adaptation
- Share best practice across the sector, and collaborate with sector peers
- Address climate risks to historic buildings & UNESCO sites
Key Progress in 2024/25
- Engaged top 35 suppliers to provide training and tools to support their own carbon reduction actions.
- Undertaken a climate risk assessment of The Roman Baths, identifying key risks from the main regional hazards as identified by the Met Office – Heavy Rainfall & Flooding, Overheating, Drought and Storms. Assessment for our other sites is underway.
- Our catering supplier Searcys have doubled down on their local supplier base, prioritising provenance and positive environmental impact. Key ingredient suppliers are actively farming regeneratively.
- Co-hosted a sustainable tourism workshop with Visit West and Buro Happold. Over 60 cross-sector attendees explored how tourism can support heritage, climate action, and community well-being—resulting in clear next steps focused on data, partnerships, and authenticity.
- Our operations are now zero waste to landfill, and we have taken steps to improve visitor led recycling on site.
- Victoria Art Gallery is now an active member of the Gallery Climate Coalition, demonstrating commitment to environmental sustainability within the visual arts sector.
Progress is overseen by the Senior Leadership Team and Advisory Board, aligned with wider Council strategies. KPIs and climate risks are reviewed quarterly.
