This page brings together support and a range of resources we have on equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), as well as wellbeing and mental health’; providing a central info hub for our members, clubs, staff and beyond.
British Judo provide opportunities for all participants to be fully inclusive. BJA Inclusion, in addition to supporting all minority groups, has the remit to promote judo for all players that through statement cognitive disorder and or physiological type or infirmity, cannot aspire to the highest levels of the mainstream pathway.
British Judo D&I Strategic Plan 2022-2026
Inspiring Stories
Inspiring Stories
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group
The British Judo Association launched its Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group in October 2020 and recruited six exceptional members of the British Judo community to help improve and shape inclusion within our sport.
Chaired by Board member Claire Lish and supported by the BJA’s Diversity and Inclusion manager, Sami Smithson, the steering group has focussed on; raising awareness, developing training opportunities for the judo community and developing an action plan to support British Judo’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Our steering group members are: Paul Ajala, Deryn Allen, Stephanie Allen, Simone Callender, Jad Harris and Dennis Stewart.
Several smaller support and focus groups have also been formed targeting areas such as LGBT+, women & girls recruitment and retention, adaptive judo and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). These sub-groups are led by members of the steering group and welcome members of the wider judo community to be included in shaping the future as well as receiving support should they need it.
At British Judo, we aim to promote a sustainable membership programme where all people have the best opportunity to have Positive Mental Health and wellbeing.
Positive mental health is a state of wellbeing in which every individual is able to realise their own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can perform productively, and is able to contribute to their community.
We also aim to ensure there is appropriate support for those experiencing Mental Health Problems.
A Mental Health Problem is a pattern of behaviour, experiences, thoughts and feelings that causes significant distress and/or impairment of daily functioning and/or difficulties in relationships with others.
Such distress or impairments are most likely to be experienced over a period of time and are not easily alleviated by an individual’s typical coping strategies.
If you just need to talk, any time of day or night there are free listening, confidential services available. The services have trained volunteers who are there to talk about anything that’s troubling you.
- Call 116 123 to talk
- Email jo@samaritans.org for a reply within 24 hours
- Text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258 (or YM) if you’re under 19
- Call 0800 1111 to talk – The number will not appear on your phone bill
Safeguarding Resources
Keeping your child safe in sport e-learning course
The course is free to take and is suitable for any parent of a child who takes part in sport, regardless of your level of safeguarding knowledge. It should take you around 10 minutes to complete.
Find out more about the course here
Here are some top tips on how coaches can encourage parents to get involved in the sport!
- Set up ways to positively communicate with parents regularly
- Get to know parents, listen to any concerns and act on them
- Include parents in club decisions like choosing new uniforms/kit or practice times
- Enable and encourage parents to stay at practice and support their child
- Make time to regularly update parents about their child’s development
Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts
The Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts recognises clubs or providers in England who have demonstrated that they have reached and maintained good safeguarding standards.
The Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts “mark” has been created so that parents/carers and educational establishments can clearly identify who has successfully signed up to the Safeguarding Code.
Click here to find out more about the Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts.
British Judo Clubmark Clubs
If you are currently affiliated to The British Judo Association and have achieved Clubmark (which must still be valid) then you are eligible to apply for the Safeguarding Code in Martial Arts. Please contact us with your Clubmark number at info@nwgnetwork.org
Inclusive Employers Resources
‘Talking inclusion with…’ Podcasts
‘Talking inclusion with…’ are podcasts about inclusion and diversity in the workplace, by Inclusion Employers. Join hosts, BBC Radio’s Stephanie Hirst and Inclusive Employers’ Senior Consultant Steven Copsey, as they meet a wide variety of guests with fascinating stories of inclusion, diversity and belonging.
Online Events & Webinars
Learn how to identify opportunities to connect with a more diverse audience, identify key stakeholders and form meaningful relationships and gain top tips for encouraging feedback from disengaged groups.
