Updating our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Plan

Six months ago, I joined the RNLI as the new Inclusion Lead. Since then, I have been working hard to ensure that we add detail to our EDI plans. These details set out what we would like to achieve over the coming years to make sure that we become more inclusive as an organisation. I have already met so many of you, who have shared your thoughts on inclusion and have helped shape and develop the plan we are sharing today.

By becoming more inclusive we will improve our ability to recruit volunteers so that we can continue to save lives at sea. It will help us to be more welcoming to people, and we will value and recognise the diverse skills and experiences they bring to the RNLI. But our approach to inclusion extends beyond our people as we look to make our assets and buildings more inclusive.

Here we share with you the updated Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Plan (PDF - 223KB), with seven areas of focus and what we aim to achieve in 2025.

Since the end of last year, we have already achieved a lot:

1. We developed an online EDI training module, which we will shortly be rolling out to all volunteers.
2. This summer we will launch new policies to support menstrual health and pregnancy loss. If this is something you are currently affected by, you can read more about the wellbeing support that's available at the RNLI on the Volunteer Zone.
3. We have further developed an EDI comms plan to ensure we are sharing more stories about topics that are important to our people.
4. We are looking at ways to ensure our People Networks all have the support they need to succeed with their plans and are championed across the whole RNLI.
5. We have reviewed the governance structure for inclusion to make sure that we are clearer about accountability and have a structure that ensures we are learning from other organisations as we look to fulfil our commitments.
6. We asked staff to think about how they can support inclusion in their roles in their annual objectives.
7. We have developed an EDI glossary and a document to support people to have sensitive conversations, which we will be launching later this year.

Thank you to everyone who has been involved in these achievements, provided feedback or helped implement them.

Bringing this plan to life will be a shared effort from our whole crew. I would like to thank you for everything you are already doing to make the RNLI a place where everyone can be themselves. 

If you have any questions about our approach to inclusion or would like to be involved please get in touch at [email protected].

Amy Russell - Inclusion Lead