Our Values

We are actively hopeful – We are determined to achieve our mission and believe that our approach will have a significant impact in solving the climate and nature crises.

We are empathetic – Our approach is based on empathy, and we believe in the power of people to effect change for the common good. We understand the value of positive relationships and finding common ground. We use the Non-Violent Communication approach to build trust and tackle fear.

We are purpose driven – We are committed, innovative and effective. We provide tailored, evidence-based support for people and elected representatives to take action on the climate and nature crises. We recognise the devastating impacts these crises are having on people and the planet and want to tackle them urgently.

We are collaborative – We value a positive workplace environment and work in a supportive way across our teams. We also work in collaboration with the constituents we support, politicians and our partners across the sector.

We believe in justice and inclusion – we play our part in creating a just and inclusive future. We take active steps to amplify the voices of those less likely to be heard. We ensure that the political actions we push for on climate and nature are socially just.

EDI Definitions

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Equality/equity

Hope for the Future recognises that everyone is a potential change-maker but not everyone is starting from the same point. We define equity as giving more support to those who need it and justice as addressing the structural barriers to engagement. Embedded in our organisational strategy and in our aim to build common ground between citizens and their elected representatives is our aim to respond to and eliminate systemic barriers where possible. This includes putting more resources into reaching audiences who might experience more barriers than others. We have an active role to play in empowering and equipping people to take part in democracy so that everyone who wants to engage their elected representatives on climate change can do so.

Diversity 

‍As an organisation, we believe that diversity should be coupled with considerations of power, liberation and justice rather than just for diversity’s sake. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive community reflecting the diversity of our society. Diversity includes people of all races, ages, all or no faiths, genders, gender expressions and sexualities, as well as those who are disabled and with neurodiversities, and diverse socio-economic backgrounds and experiences. One of our core organisational objectives is to build capacity among communities so that they areequipped and empoweredto undertake constructive and meaningful dialogue with their elected representatives. Diversity means having a balance of different voices and this should be reflected in the individuals/groups that we support and the organisations we collaborate with.We believe that this diversity should be reflected in the staff team, senior leadership and trustees at Hope for the Future, as well as our overall organisational strategy. To bring diverse voices into our organisation, at all levels, we will continually reassess how we recruit for positions and look at how we can ensure that everyone feels welcome but also has an equal opportunity to get in the door. 

Inclusion

‍If diversity is having a balance of different voices, inclusion is empowering these voices to ensure they are heard on their own terms. Inclusion can mean radically different things for different people, from accessibility to outreach to empowerment. We believe that Hope for the Future has a unique opportunity to improve inclusivity in the wider political system and the climate movement because we directly support constituents and can be responsive to individual needs. Therefore we embed inclusion within the heart of our organisation strategy and day-to-day working. We recognise that inclusion is an ongoing and responsive process that includes and exceeds accessibility. Hope for the Future will strive to continuously examine our work, adjusting our ways of working which create barriers for, or marginalise, some people more than others. We believe that democracy does not work without inclusion and inclusion is vital to addressing the disproportionate effects of climate change on marginalised people and communities.

Hope for the Future, The Workstation,15 Paternoster Row, Sheffield, S1 2BX‍

info@hftf.org.uk
‍0114 312 2619