Love Island introduces ‘inclusion training’ ahead of new season

This year, Love Island has been making quite a few changes, a new villa, a new partner, and now, a new training program for contestants. That’s right, Love Island bosses are looking to be more inclusive with the language on the show.

‘Inclusion training’

This year’s Love Island contestants will be offered a new form of training via video. This training will guide them on how to use inclusive language concerning disability, sexuality,race and ethnicity, as well as behaviours and microaggressions.

The training will be done by experts and the goal is to create a safe space inside the iconic villa. ITV and Lifted Productions made an announcement on Friday, May 27 that the training was being offered. The Independent reported that ITV’s statement said:

These discussions will tackle topics including inclusive language, behaviour, creating safe spaces and being a good ally,

The experts conducting the training include BCOMS (Black Collective of Media in Sport) founder Leon Mann MBE, diversity, equity and inclusion consultant Hayley Bennett, disability specialist Shani Dhanda and broadcaster Sean Fletcher.

What is included in the training?

The ‘inclusion training’ includes how to cope with being filmed 24/7 as well as dealing with social media trolls. It also helps contestants deal with life after the show.

The training also offers an ‘aftercare package’ which, according to The Independent, includes advice on finance and ‘encouraging’ contestants to secure a management team to represent them.

Finally, the contestants will be offered at least 8 therapy sessions once they have finished the show.

Read more:

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