Inclusion By Default: One Year On

In January 2024, ABConnexions launched the Inclusion By Default campaign with one clear mission: to challenge discrimination, highlight inequality, and promote inclusion across the North East and beyond. What began as a campaign quickly became a movement—driven by the voices of our communities, businesses, and partners.

Over the last twelve months, we’ve listened to 51,247 people who shared their experiences of inclusion—and exclusion—in workplaces and wider society. The findings have been eye-opening, confirming what many already knew: while progress is being made, there is still much more to do.

What We’ve Learned

The stories we’ve heard reflect both the barriers people continue to face and the opportunities we have to create real change. Too many individuals still encounter challenges linked to their faith, gender, ethnicity, disability, or background.

More specifically we learned:

• Nearly 1 in 2 people have experienced discrimination at work.

• 1 in 4 believe their ethnicity has harmed their job prospects.

• 4 in 5—a staggering 80%—have felt excluded or ‘othered’ in their lives.

These are not just statistics—they are lived realities.

But we’ve also seen how powerful inclusion can be. Organisations that embrace diverse perspectives thrive. Communities that celebrate difference grow stronger. And individuals who are given fair opportunities achieve incredible things.

Turning Listening Into Action

Inclusion By Default has never been about simply raising awareness—it’s about making a difference. That’s why, over the past year, the campaign has been embedded into so much of what we do:

• The ABC Awards – celebrating businesses and individuals leading the way in inclusion.

• ABCurry Clubs & Faith Tours – bringing people together to learn from and connect with different communities.

• Roundtables & Conferences – tackling pressing issues from inclusive recruitment to religious inclusivity.

• Inclusive Innovation Framework – providing organisations with practical tools to put inclusion into practice.

Our Superpower: The Inclusive Innovation Framework

At the heart of all this is our Inclusive Innovation Framework.

This is not just a model—it’s a methodology for change. It’s bold, action-oriented, and person-centred. It challenges systems, rewires beliefs, and transforms everyday behaviours.

Because inclusion isn’t a one-off event. It’s culture. It’s movement It’s hummingbird work—daily, deliberate, and deeply human.

What’s Next?

The first year of Inclusion By Default has been about listening, learning, and laying strong foundations. As we move forward, our focus is on deepening this work: creating more opportunities, holding honest conversations, and helping businesses and communities make inclusion the standard—not the exception.

Help us to continue our ongoing research and ongoing Inclusion By Default campaign by filling in our survey today!

Join the Inclusion By Default Campaign