We partnered with Crimestoppers to host an event at the Bristol Met Academy earlier this October. The focus of this event was to provide educational resources to support communities in anonymously speaking up, staying safe and stopping crime. This event aimed to break down the barriers we may face in equipping young people with the safe space they deserve to explore the topic of hate crime; whilst embracing the power of creativity to teach, inform and inspire.

This event was motivated by the success of the ‘What Would You Do?’ Programme – a pioneering crime prevention project, instrumental in addressing crime in local communities. Throughout 2020, UV and Crimestoppers also had the privilege of working with a number of schools across Bristol. Teachers took part in CPD sessions to learn about the type of crime experienced by their local communities and how they could creatively lead their students to highlight these topics on film. The result of this programme has been two powerful films, bursting with the voices of young people on the topics of discrimination and belonging; inspiring this event.

We had the honour of being joined by several guest speakers who spoke about the need for this conversation. One of whom was Councillor Asher Craig, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education, and Equalities. Asher was such an inspiration for this event, having attended the film’s initial finale. She passionately called for the films to be played across Bristol and, as a result of her support, Crimestoppers sourced the funding to make the film resource pack happen.

We were also joined by SARI, a client-led charity that provides free and confidential support for anyone who is a victim of hate crime. Whether that’s based on race, faith, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or sex. SARI also work to build greater understanding and respect for diversity and difference within the community. 

And finally, we heard from Aisha Thomas, Director of Representation Matters, Assistant Principal at City Academy Bristol, and educational activist specialising in race and anti-racist practice. Her work has included presenting a BBC documentary about the lack of black teachers in Bristol, delivering a 2019 TEDx Bristol talk: ‘Why Representation Really Matters’, and launching her organisation, Representation Matters.

This event was incredibly enlightening and insightful. It left us feeling unsettled by just how much work we have left to do. We asked those who attended a couple of questions about the effectiveness of the event and the topic of hate crime and discrimination – the results of which spoke volumes to just how far we have yet to go with this conversation.