There is a lack of Equality & Diversity in the industry. The industry does not represent UK society because of the systemic barriers and obstacles that exist within it. The Costume and Wardrobe Branch of LPD is committed to creating and protecting a representative workforce. 

black lives matter

Costume & Wardrobe branch stands in solidarity with Black Lives Matter. We recognise that racism can be overt, covert or unconscious in individuals, as well as being structured and institutionalised. We are committed to tackling racism in all forms. 

Project Implicit developed online tests to measure unconscious bias against race, countries, age, skin-tone, gender, sexuality and weight. We encourage members to use this tool as a part of their self-reflection.

equality and diversity officers

Costume & Wardrobe branch of LPD has appointed Equality and Diversity Officers to help present the views of the membership to the committee. These Officers also coordinate campaigns and initiatives on E&D matters within the branch. 

If you’d like to get in touch with our E&D Officers, please use the button at the bottom of this page to get in touch.

Working group

The Equality & Diversity Working Group is a safe space within our Branch to discuss how we, as individuals and as a union, can tackle the lack of Equality & Diversity in the TV & Film Industries. Topics for discussion may include, but are not limited to:

  • Pay at entry level

  • Educational outreach

  • Transparent and accountable hiring practices

  • HR for Freelancers

  • Diversity targets

  • Diversity monitoring and Equal Pay reporting

  • Continuing Professional Development programmes

  • Flexible working

  • Maternity pay & parental leave

  • Crêche and childcare facilities

  • Supporting pregnant workers

  • Anti-harassment, anti-discrimination, anti-bullying training

  • Reporting sexual harassment, bullying and discrimination 

If you’d like to be part of the Equality & Diversity working group, please use the button at the bottom of this page to get in touch.

bectu equality & diversity committees and networks

Bectu Diversity Officer

Janice Turner:  jturner@bectu.org.uk

Bectu Women’s Committee

Officials: Emily Collin ecollin@bectu.org.uk and Caroline Hemmington chemmington@bectu.org.uk

 Bectu Black Member’s Committee

Official: Janice Turner jturner@bectu.org.uk

Bectu Young Member’s Forum

Official: Polly Avison pavison@bectu.org.uk

During a recent meeting with members from the Black Members Committee, we asked them some questions about the committee and what they do. To have a look, please click here.

external resources for promoting equality and diversity in film and TV

The Black Costume Network (BCN) is a cohort creating an open and safer space for Black and Mixed race creatives in the Costume industry, in the UK (and beyond). A place for often underrepresented voices to be heard, whilst focusing on positivity, progression, action and support.

Email: theblackcostumenetwork@gmail.com

Instagram: @theblackcostumenetwork

The British Blacklist is an online platform which celebrates African & Caribbean creative professionals on the Screen and Stage, in Sound and Literature – both up front and behind the scenes.

The TV Collective is an online resource dedicated to promoting the creative and commercial value diversity adds to the British TV and film industries.

Create Jobs is an employability programme for young Londoners that focuses on supporting and developing individuals who are underrepresented in the creative and digital industries.

Film & TV Charity 24/7 Support Line is free and confidential and can be accessed by phone, email or online chat. The trained team has lots of experience and can give you quick and discreet advice. 0800 054 0000

Primetime is a global hiring platform for women working above and below the line behind the camera.

The core mission of Raising Films is to champion and support parents and carers in the UK screen industries.

Creative Access is the only organisation in the UK dedicated to recruiting under-represented talent in the creative industries.

TIME’S UP UK is an organisation that insists on safe, fair and dignified work for everyone.

ScreenSkills' Trainee Finder has helped place trainees on UK feature films, children's TV and high-end TV dramas across the UK. In 2017/18, candidates selected for the Film Trainee Finder were 66% women, 60% from outside London and 20% black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME).

Creative Media Skills work hand in hand with the industry and the companies that support it, to facilitate their specific and targeted training requirements at the top level.

The Indie Training Fund (ITF) runs training courses for production companies and freelancers across the UK.

Women in Film & TV (UK) is the leading membership organisation for women working in creative media in the UK.

A ScreenSkills bursary is a cash grant designed to remove some of the practical barriers to making progress in the screen industries. Bursaries pay for training or other costs associated with skills development.

Birds’ Eye View (BEV) is a not-for-profit that centres the female perspective in film and campaigns for gender equality in all film spaces. 

ERA 50:50 wants to see women represented on screen, in television and theatre in equal numbers to men.

Spot’s AI reporting tool makes it safer for employees to speak up and easier for HR to follow up, even on anonymous reports.

ScreenSkills runs an in-house mentoring programme as well as supports other organisations that wish to offer mentoring.

The Talent Manager was born out of a desire to simplify the way the industry works and to professionalise the way TV companies recruit.

Share My Telly Job is an online community built for Freelancers in the Television industry who are hoping to find more flexible working contracts.

Through the provision of on-set childcare, The Wonder Works aims to set a new precedent within the film industry.

Cinemamas is an online platform for mothers (and all parents) working in the film industry who want to connect and create a positive community built around mutual support.

If you have other external resources for the promotion of Equality & Diversity in the screen industries that you’d like to share with our fellow members, please use the button at the bottom of this page to get in touch.