Announcing the FREDIE AWARDS 2026/2027!
Tickets now available & nominations are open for NCFD clients
INDUSTRY: Charity Sector
EMPLOYEE NUMBERS: 200+
ACCREDITATION(S): Investors in Diversity Silver
It is a demonstration of the hard work we do as an organisation to be more inclusive both as a staff team but also within our membership.
Changeworks’ vision is for a world where everyone is able to live, work and enjoy life with a low-carbon impact. We recognise climate change is the most significant threat to the environment and our way of life.
Changeworks is a leading organisation dedicated to decarbonising Scotland’s homes and a just transition to net zero. As a charity we adopt the social enterprise model, continually re-investing to further our impact and tackle the climate emergency. A trusted partner, we deliver services across a variety of sectors and secure positive outcomes for householders. Our expertise spans energy advice and support, retrofit delivery and management, and developing innovative decarbonisation solutions. We also offer independent consultancy services. Through partnerships across the UK, we help accelerate the transformation of Scotland’s homes toward sustainability.
Vicky Walker, Chair of Changeworks’ EDI Steering Group, said: “The insightful training with CEMVO (Council for Ethnic Minority Voluntary Organisations) covered topics such as protected characteristics, conscious and unconscious bias, and recognising privilege. What we learned will help us continuously improve the equality and inclusivity of our engagement with minoritised communities in Scotland.
The Investors in Diversity Silver Award is a big milestone on our journey to become even more inclusive, equitable and fair. This award recognises the amazing work of our dedicated staff teams across the organisation. A huge thank you to all involved who have made this project come to life. We now have a strong foundation for Changeworks to continue its work to improve equality and inclusion both for our colleagues and the people we support.”
Becoming a truly diverse and inclusive workspace is an ongoing challenge and taking part in this tells us what we are doing well and where we need to improve.
We began our journey with the NCfD in 2023. This was when we committed to improve inclusion throughout the organisation and our ambition to exceed the standards outlined by NCfD.
Following an initial survey and audit, the NCfD supported us with a tailored action plan and their assessors helped guide implementation. This was followed by a follow-up assessment and ultimately the Silver award in recognition of the meaningful progress we’ve made.
Some of the practical work we’ve done to help us get the award includes:
This insightful training covered topics such as protected characteristics, conscious and unconscious bias, and recognising privilege. What we learned will help us continuously improve the equality and inclusivity of our engagement with minoritised communities in Scotland.
To make our services more inclusive, we’ve focussed on translating our resources. We have a diverse volunteer group who attend community engagement events to help out with translation. Our Affordable Warmth Team use Language Line with clients who require an interpreter, and our energy advice resources are now available in 10 different languages.
We’ve developed a Pronouns policy which recognises that every colleague has a right to be identified by the name and pronouns they associate with. We acknowledge that gender and identity can evolve over time, and this policy reflects our commitment to being inclusive allies.
We’ve launched Staff Networks to bring together people with shared characteristics or experiences. These networks create space for dialogue, peer support, and action to improve inclusivity. We currently have two active groups:
We’re working to establish two further groups:
While we’re proud of what we’ve achieved, we’re even more excited about what’s to come as we build on the recommendations from the NCfD report. Our Chief Executive, Josiah Lockhart, outlined our commitment to improving our culture and services even further:
“We have to make sure that EDI is not just a project, but something that’s woven into the fabric of everything we do. The accreditation report gave us some really useful recommendations and the EDI Steering Group will be diving into those to shape our work plan for the year ahead.”
At a time when equality, diversity and inclusion are increasingly challenged, Changeworks remains committed to our goal of becoming a more equal, diverse, and inclusive organisation. We’re proud of what we’ve achieved – and even more determined to keep building on this.