Inclusion & diversity 

Eat Love Live aims to be aware of the varied oppressions our clients may have experienced that have an impact on the development in their relationship with food and body. We recognise the impact on the mental health and wellbeing of people experiencing stigma and discrimination. Eat love live practitioners are working to acknowledge their own privilege and reflecting on this personally and in supervision.

Advice is sought from individuals with lived experience across a variety of backgrounds to inform policy development, clinical practices and professional development.

Position Statement & Declaration

We acknowledge that the individuals who are part of  Eat Love Live hold a number of privileged identities that have affected the ease with which we move through the world. 

We continue to reflect on the relativity of privilege and how identities are nuanced and intersectional. We continue to reflect on the systemic injustices that occur and advocate for change. 

We strive to support clients with empathy and value the trust they impart in us by sharing their experiences. We acknowledge their generosity and that this assists us in our own understanding of the world. 

We are committed to continuing to elevate the voices of people who have lived experiences that we do not and to pay for the emotional labor that enables us to learn from other experiences. 

First Nations Acknowledgement 

We proudly acknowledge the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Owners of the lands and waters on which we live and work, and pay our respect to their Elders past and present. We pay our respects to the previous and current First Nations people of Australia and their contributions to the health care system and broader health care practices.

We further acknowledge the persistent, intergenerational and widely impactful consequences of colonisation. Which involved the exclusion of Aboriginal people and their cultures, beliefs, customs, traditions and laws in the establishment of Australia. These impacts still exist today and continue to perpetuate harm and discrimination.

Our Approach

In order to provide services that are equitable, inclusive and accessible to all people we use an intersectional framework. By recognising the influence and impact of social inequality and how it is embedded within our society, we acknowledge how power influences people's access and ability to use services and facilities.

We acknowledge that people are diverse, multilayered and influenced by many contextual factors; people and their environments are dynamic and intertwined. Through this approach, we are able to recognise and identify the barriers to safety and access to services by marginalised populations, and work towards providing a service that is safe, responsive, respectful, inclusive and accessible to all. 

Principles of Care

Diversity

The unique attributes of each individual formed by our backgrounds, personality, life experiences, beliefs and the many factors that contribute to who we are. All of these make up our perspectives, our beliefs and values, and our approaches to life. Diversity includes the recognition, respect and appreciation of these differences. Some of which include but are not limited to age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, race, religion, disability, and in our bodies.

We embrace broader diversity through individual characteristics and expressions such as communication style, career path, life experience, educational background, geographic location, income level, relationship status, parental status and the many other factors impacting our personal perspectives.

Inclusion

Creating a space and supporting people who are, and feel ,valued and respected regardless of their background, characteristics or personal expression. Where people feel a sense of belonging, have equal opportunity to meet their individual and combined potential, have equal access to opportunities and resources and can contribute their perspectives and experience to their community/workplace/spaces. This means creating opportunities for all people to freely and equally access and take actions to drive their health and wellbeing. 

Equity

The capacity for all people to participate freely and equally in all areas of public life, including in the workplace, through education, in accessing goods and services. This requires them to be able to utilise these opportunities without disadvantage or discrimination due to their unique attributes or circumstances. 

AccessibILITY

Ensuring that all facilities, content and practitioners are, or support, an accessible environment for all clients to best support their needs. All people should have equal access to goods and services. Where support is required, they should be freely communicated and supplied without hesitation or questioning. All communications are provided in forms that support people with disabilities and those facing hardship; communications and content should be easy to understand and available in alternative formats.

In order to provide an accessible environment beyond physical access to facilities and services, consideration must be given to the sociocultural environment as well. This is most pertinent for those facing discrimination and stigma, such as the Aboriginal and Torries Strait Islander, refugee and asylum seeker, LGBTQIA+ and other marginalised communities. This creates a supportive environment that facilitates inclusion and makes a space more accessible to people of diverse backgrounds.

Principles of Inclusion

Sex & Gender

We are welcoming to and supportive of people of all sexes, (male, female, intersex), genders and gender expressions. We acknowledge the stigma and discrimination faced by intersex people, and the transgender and gender diverse community. We strive to provide a safe environment and apply an informed understanding of the diversity of sex and gender to our broader approach and clinical practices. 

It is not required of to disclose any information pertaining to their sex, gender identity or pronouns. The sharing of pronouns is not required of practitioners or clients using Eat Love Live services. However, sharing your pronouns, no matter your gender, fosters inclusivity by normalising discussions about pronouns and in not assuming people's gender or pronouns.

Sexual Orientation

We welcome people with all sexualities and do not support homophobia, biphobia and any form of discrimination regarding an individuals sexual/romantic preferences. We acknowledge the history of, and perpetuating stigma and discrimination faced by the gay, lesbian, bisexual and broader LGBTQIA+ community in society and in health care environments. 

It is not required of any practitioners, clients or other parties to disclose any information pertaining to sexual orientation, preferences or experiences.

Body Diversity

Our bodies naturally exist in diversity, individually throughout our lifetime and as people across our broader society. Bodily diversity encompasses the unique and varied bodies that belong to people of all sizes, races, abilities and health. All bodies deserve inclusion through representation, accessibility, respect and support. 

Body diversity as we practice it, acknowledges and respects all people and uplifts those with marginalised bodies who are often left out of the conversation. We practice body diversity and positvity that extends past the white, cis, heternormative standards that much of society refers to. In doing so, we extend our respect and support to all people of all bodies sizes, shapes, race, ability and health.

Ability

We refer to the Inclusive Victoria state disability plan 2020-2026 to inform inclusive action for people with disability. Within this plan, the United Nations defines disability, describing people with disability as ‘[those] who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory differences that, when interacting with inaccessible communities and environments, prevent full and equal community participation’. 

Eat Love Live supports the rights of people with disability to:

• Be respected for their worth and dignity as individuals
• Realise and reach their full potential as individuals for physical, social, emotional and mental development
• Access services that support their capacity to achieve a reasonable quality of life in ways that supports their families and their full participation in society
• Actively participate in and contribute to decisions that affect their lives, including disability programs, policies and services
• Adequate access to support and information that enables them to participate in decisions about their lives
• Receive services with minimum restrictions and barriers to their rights and responsibilities 

Eat Love Live endeavors to support people with disabilities to:

• Achieve their optimal health and wellbeing
• Have healthy eating behaviors and relationships with foods
• Decreasing the risk of nutrition-related health issues 
• Provide support and education to address broader nutrition-related issues

We acknowledge the prevalence and impact of mental health issues within our population, and the discrimination and stigma many experience as a result. We respect and are inclusive of people with all mental health issues and the ways in which they may impact our communication, engagement and ability throughout our day to day lives. 

Practitioners are encouraged to receive training in a variety of mental health response frameworks, and apply a trauma informed approach to their practice. They have a strong understanding of how to best support themselves, their colleagues and their clients in the event of mental distress or when there is possible risk to themselves or others. We do not tolerate any form of discriminate or stigmatisation of any form of mental illness and strive to support people living with mental illness, and where necessary, intervene and prevent crises. 

CulturE

Cultural diversity encompasses the dimensions pertaining to ethinic, religious and language diversity present across different cultures. Our approach to culturally inclusive practice is embedded within our work. In creating an inclusive workplace and service, we strive to address and support the different needs and experiences of people from diverse cultures and backgrounds. 

Our practitioners are committed to reflecting on their own perspectives, biases and prejudices. In doing so, they are aware of how their cultural backgrounds, experiences and perspectives influence their practice. In all areas, they strive to value and gain knowledge about the different perspectives, opinions and approaches brought to them through interactions with others, independent learning and professional development opportunities. 

We encourage open and ongoing communication that creates space for awareness and respect, which fosters mutually beneficial discussion and the sharing of information and different perspectives. This involves engaging in respectful relationships by demonstrating positive appreciation and acknowledgement of people and their cultural values.

Discrimination

We recognise the rights for individuals to be free from stigma and discrimination.

All practitioners and clientele are expected to show respect towards all persons, and to not participate in, or tolerate any form of of discriminatory, harassment, victimising behaviour. This includes for direct or indirect discrimination, and forms of harassment. Definitions of these are a listed below.

Forms of discrimination

Direct: when an individual is disadvantaged or treated less favourably than another person.

Indirect: when a practice or Policy appears to be fair because it treats everyone the same way but actually disadvantages people from a particular group.

Forms of harassment

Sexual: any behaviours in which a person is subjected to unwanted sexual conduct and which makes a person feel offended, humiliated and/or intimidated.. 

Disability: any behaviour in which a person is abused, humiliated or insulted verbally and/or physically in a negative way relating to their disability.

Racial: any behaviour which is reasonably likely to 'offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate' and can consist of behaviours which negatively comment on a person's race, colour, nationality, accent, culture or ethnic origin. 

Gender: any behaviour in which a person's gender identity or expression is questioned, insulted or otherwise discussed in a derogatory manner.

Age: any behaviour in which negative stereotypes of what people are capable of doing at a particular age are perpetuated or projected onto an individual.

Action in the event of discrimination or harrassment

Where any form of discrimination, bullying or harassment is found to have occurred, action may be commenced against the person(s) responsible. All complaints or notifications of misconduct will be managed promptly and confidentially.

Accessibility 

Contact us if you need any information in an accessible format such as large print or audio, please telephone 9087 8379 or email  reception@eatlovelive.com.au.

.Accessibility impairments to consider in ensuring everyone has access to the same support, content and materials:

• auditory: hard of hearing, deafness
• cognitive and neurological: learning disabilities, distractibility, difficulties remembering, focusing on large amounts of information
• physical: difficulties using a mouse or keyboard, limited fine motor control, slower response time
• speech: difficulty producing speech for the purposes of speech recognition services or people
• visual: degrees of impairment in one or both eyes, colour blindness, sensitivity to bright colours

Physical Environment

Clients attending Face to Face appointments at Exhale Collingwood are wheelchair accessible from the ground floor through elevator access. There is an automatic door at ground level, with even floor surfaces between the outdoor sidewalk and the building entrance. 

On the same floor (1st floor) as the Exhale consulting rooms are Female, Male, and Gender-neutral disabled toilets clients can access. The floor between the officers and toilets are wheelchair accessible.

There is accessible parking out the front of the building, and along the street; wheelchair parking in front of the building, closest at approximately 100m from the ground level entrance. There is 1 hour and 2 hour free parking, and all day metered parking available; however it may be scarce during business hours.

Public Transportation that is Accessible nearby Exhale Collingwood includes:

• Tram: Closest tram lines are 12, 109 (likely to have low floors), 86. 
• Train: All metropolitan trains are wheelchair accessible and have allocated spaces for passengers using mobility aids. Closest train station is Collingwood Station.
• Bus: 246.

For more options, accessible services and stops can be planned into the trip using Journey Planner, or call 1800 800 007.

Visually or Hearing Impaired

Physical environment and/or support items to facilitate communication and accessible spaces.

• Communication boards - whiteboards available
• Assistance dogs and guide dogs welcome
• Resources in readable formats (ie. PDF/DOCX with voice reader capabilities, braille resources)
• Accessible online/in person Information (read compatible)

Sociocultural Accessibility

• Financial constraints can make it difficult for some people to access services. Individual practitioners can choose to charge clients a discounted rate if they would like.
• Encourage and support clients to access Medicare ECP or EDP plans where these are applicable.
• Provide alternative information for clients about public services including state wide tertiary services ( BETRS, Monash - WRC, RMH- EDU), CHAMS/CHYMS, area mental health, and community health.
• Encourage clients to contact EDV, Butterfly Foundation and CEED to explore alternative support streams.
• Provide low cost ED services resource