Arthritis Action & Inclusion Barnet Become First Charities Awarded The Blueprint Diversity Mark

Tuesday 19 May 2026; London, UK: Health charity Arthritis Action and Inclusion Barnet, a Disabled People’s Organisation, have become the first charities to be awarded The Blueprint diversity mark for racial diversity, equality and inclusion.

Initially launched in 2020 to promote racial diversity in PR and communications, The Blueprint opened for applications from other sectors in 2025 following an independent evaluation report highlighting its impact on UK agencies.

Arthritis Action and Inclusion Barnet secured The Blueprint Ally status, considered the mark’s silver standard, after completing 40-question application forms detailing their work promoting diversity and inclusion.

The applications were marked by an independent panel of judges: Nyree Connell (education policy manager); Sasha Daly (policy and advocacy consultant) and Henry Rowling (founder, Flying Cars innovation agency).

Arthritis Action, the UK charity giving hands-on, practical help to improve the quality of life of people affected by arthritis, secured the diversity mark for its extensive DEI policies, an active EDI working group, senior management commitment and leadership, an inclusive working culture and a diverse workforce and board.

Inclusion Barnet, the disabled-led organisation delivering inclusive community services in Barnet and influencing national change through its campaigns and partnerships, secured the mark for its deep commitment to DEI. The organisation has embedded equality and inclusion into every aspect from recruitment to culture, from campaigning to its almost entirely disabled workforce, with around 80% of staff, including senior managers, having lived experience.

Elizabeth Bananuka, Founder/CEO, The Pros Collective, said: “It is an honour to award Arthritis Action and Inclusion Barnet The Blueprint Ally status, the silver standard for the definitive mark for racial diversity, equality, and inclusion. Having started my career in the charity sector and witnessed firsthand the impact not for profit organisations can have on diverse communities across the UK means I understand the power of the charity sector as much as I do its diversity problem. As the first charities to ever be Blueprinted, I hope Arthritis Action and Inclusion Barnet serve as an inspiration and a benchmark for others. Both small organisations making big DEI power moves, are reminders that diversity, equality and inclusion remain forces of good and can have a positive impact on employees, stakeholders, funders and the communities they serve. On behalf of the judges, Nyree Connell, Sasha Daly and Henry Rowling, I cannot thank Noha Al Afifi and Caroline Collier and their colleagues enough for providing much-needed light and hope during these challenging times.”

Noha Al Afifi, Deputy CEO, Arthritis Action, said: “We’re very proud to receive The Blueprint diversity mark – an acknowledgement that equality, diversity and inclusion are not just priorities, but fundamental to how we operate every day. It reflects the progress we have made in embedding EDI across all areas of Arthritis Action’s work and reinforces our commitment to keep raising the bar for the future. Being amongst the first organisations outside the PR sector to achieve this is especially meaningful. Thank you to Elizabeth and the judges for the recognition.”

Caroline Collier, CEO, Inclusion Barnet, said: “As an organisation led by and for Disabled people, we recognise that equality is multifaceted – we are all shaped by a myriad of identities and experiences. Embracing the authenticity of people’s lives at work can only enrich the support we provide to communities in north London, and nationally. We’re delighted to be guided by Elizabeth and the team, whose expertise have been pivotal to helping us cement our commitment through the Blueprint diversity mark.”

Ten communication agencies currently hold The Blueprint diversity mark including specialist culture and entertainment agency Riot Communications; strategic comms, creative campaigning and social impact/sustainability consultancy Blurred and B2B tech PR and marketing agency CCGroup, a Hoffman Agency.

An evaluation report published in June 2025 highlighted the positive impact The Blueprint diversity mark has had on awarded comms agencies and their employees since its 2020 launch.