Our Aims and Mission
Sunrise is a grassroots charity promoting equality, diversity and social inclusion in rural communities in Northern Devon. We work with the community to eliminate discrimination and promote strong, positive community relations through our range of services and activities, which challenge discrimination, help change attitudes and celebrate diversity.
We want Devon to be a truly inclusive, welcoming community where individuals voices are heard and listened to, diversity is celebrated and there is equity of access to services and opportunities for all individuals with diverse identities.
Devon is predominantly a rural area, experiences of individuals with diverse identities living and working in rural areas can be markedly different to experiences of those living in cities or more urban areas. Individuals approaching Sunrise often experience significant barriers and challenges accessing services and over the last 10 years there has been an increasing need for our support services.
Sunrise staff and volunteers are knowledgeable and experienced at working with individuals with diverse identities. Our work is person centred and aims to support individuals to become empowered and have a voice within the community.
Our Values
Celebrate
We celebrate diversity in all it’s forms and bring it to the forefront in our communities. We believe that celebrating our differences can make a lasting change in the lives of everyone in the community.
Challenge
We challenge discrimination towards diverse individuals, those who experience racism, structural and societal inequalities, and actively work towards equity for all.
Change
We change attitudes by bringing out the best in people across the community, for positive conversations and connections with all individuals.
How We Make Our Values At Sunrise Real Every Day
- Sharing food, books, ideas
- Introducing people
- Organising big public events which celebrate our diverse community, such as Pride. Such events are important for visibility that some people in the wider community may not usually be exposed to or be aware of, and also for the diverse communities themselves to feel able to celebrate their identities that are often marginalised rather than uplifted.
- Unconditional acceptance
- Being present
- Challenge organisations to discuss their commitment to diversity
- Craftivism which changes attitudes towards demographics like refugees
- Speaking to peers about LGBTQ views and opinions, challenging hateful speech and behaviour
- Delivering EDI training to organisations who have had issues with discrimination within their workplaces
- Amplify diverse voices
- Curiosity around language
- Helping friends to change vocabulary surrounding diversity
- Get Sunrise users talking about their experiences, and life in other countries and our reactions to it.
- Changing the assumption that people have moved to the UK know what’s available
- It is important to hold events that are able to inform people on topics that there is often misinformation which leads to negative attitudes towards certain groups.
In my experience as a partner with Sunrise, I can see that they are an invaluable support to the local community.
I am very impressed with Sunrise. It makes me happy when I connect with Sunrise.
I think it’s important to have Sunrise to promote diversity. To make diversity more visible. Good to have this in the community.
