Charity Leaders' network, ACEVO, and the Institute of Fundraising, are asking members and leaders across the charity sector, and those in wider civil society organisations that want to improve equality and diversity, to sign up to eight principles. 

Devon Air Ambulance is among the forerunners to sign up to the moves to help make the charity sector more inclusive and to engage broader talent in our work.

1. Acknowledge that there is a problem with racial diversity in the charity sector and commit to working to change that.
2. Recognise the important role leaders have in creating change by modelling positive behaviour and taking action.
3. Learn about racial bias and how it impacts leadership decisions.
4. Commit to setting permanent and minimum targets for diversity that reflect the participants, donors, beneficiaries and the population of the area that the organisation operates in.
5. Commit to action and invest resources, where necessary, in order to improve racial diversity in the organisation.
6. View staff as the sum of many parts rather than a single entity and recruit to build a diverse group of talented people collectively working towards a shared vision.
7. Recruit for potential, not perfection.
8. Value lived experience, the ability to draw from one’s lived experience and to bring insights to an organisation that can develop its work.

We know there is more work to do in this area,' says Devon Air Ambulance Chief Executive, Heléna Holt.

As a charity that is run by and for the people of Devon, it stands to reason that our workforce should fairly reflect our community.

If you are interested in working with us then please visit our current vacancies page. 

Read Acevo's full racial diversity in the charity sector report here.