Keeping people and buildings safe
You should prioritise protecting your staff and others in our community, and those who run buildings or spaces will need to consider whether to keep them open or take other measures during any violence.
Hope not Hate with others have provided guidance for charities and community groups on how to keep staff, volunteers and the people they support safe amidst the violence.
Victim Support provide information for victims of hate crime.
ProtectUK have guidance on managing risks in response to violence including how to
approach decisions on evacuating or locking down premises.
ACEVO provide guidance on creating a safe organisational culture.
Tackling misinformation
It is important to counter any misinformation about the stabbings in Southport and about the violence since.
Full Fact are regularly updating a page fact checking claims made online and providing information about the violence.
The Conversation has published guidance on how to spot ‘fake news’ for young people.
Communicating
It can be hard to know how to communicate in response to violence, and how to talk about it to others.
British Future provide a practical guide to calling out hatred, including messaging that combats hate crime and prejudice.
The British Red Cross have guidance on how to talk to children and young people about conflict.
Mental health support
If people have faced trauma or are struggling with their mental health because of the recent violence, there are services that can help.
Samaritans: If you are struggling with everything that is going on you can call Samaritans for free day or night on 116 123. You can also email them or visit a branch.
Mind have information to help people get support in response to racism.
The Muslim Community Helpline offers confidential listening and emotional support, and the Muslim Women’s Network Helpline provides over-the-phone counselling on 0800 999 5786.
The Islamophobia Response Unit (www.theiru.org.uk) supports people who have been affected by anti-Muslim attacks and discrimination.
The Black, African and Asian Therapy Network (www.baatn.org.uk) has resources to combat
inequality and oppression for people of colour.
Creating community cohesion
While many will be understandably focused on their short term response to the violence, we will also be looking to the long term to think about how we can all create community cohesion.
Involve have created a framework on building community cohesion, including how to engage different groups and how to work with partners.
The Local Government Association have a guide, primarily aimed at councils but useful for others, on building cohesive communities.
