Words by Abi Scaife
It’s Race Equality Week - and this year the theme is #ListenActChange. Those three words are an incredibly important reminder that we must listen to the people of colour in our lives and communities, hear what they are telling us about equality and inclusion, and go from there.
If you’re unsure what actions you can perform in your life to help support Race Equality Week but still want to make a difference, then here are some charities that can help you with that.
Whether you want to get stuck in with some volunteering, donate some cash, or want somewhere with resources about racism, inclusion, diversity and how to make positive change - this is the list for you.
Race Equality Matters is a community interest company (CIC) and desperately needs donations to keep Race Equality Week going. There are incredible resources on their website, including educational packs, and the work they do is vital to tackling racial inequality and making tangible change.
You can find out more on the Race Equality Week website.
The Runnymede Trust is a think tank dedicated to using data-based evidence to tackle racial inequality and discrimination. The research they generate is key to influencing real, positive change and making waves in the fight against racism and race-based discrimination.
The work done by the Runnymede Trust is the foundation of all other work against race inequality, giving people the evidence and the tools to make a difference.
You can support them by going to the Runnymede Trust website.
Show Racism The Red Card is the UK’s leading anti-racism educational charity, delivering workshops to young people informing them about racism, and how we can tackle it. They use footballers, and other people of note as impactful role models to help spread their message, to dismantle racism in society from the offset.
By working with young children, they are helping to prevent racist behaviours from being passed down to new generations - teaching children early what is acceptable, and what is not.
You can support Show Racism The Red Card on their website, where you can also find a hub of educational resources.
The Anthony Walker Foundation was set up after Anthony was sadly murdered in a racially motivated hate crime in 2006. His family didn’t want him to become just another statistic, so set up the charity in the hopes of combatting racism, creating stronger communities, and supporting those who have also experienced race and religion-based hate crimes.
You can learn more about the Anthony Walker Foundation and what they do here on their website, as well as find out how you can support their mission.
ENAR aims to end structural racism in the European Union - they are working hard to remove institutional discrimination while advocating for racial equality across the EU. They are fighting to make a difference in the lives of ethnic and religious minorities through legal changes at a European level, making a difference across multiple companies.
You can learn more about ENAR here on their website.
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
Windrush Foundation. This is a registered charity that designs and delivers heritage projects, programmes and initiatives which highlight African and Caribbean peoples’ contributions to the UK. Learn more here.
Race Equality Foundation. A national charity tackling racial equality in public services. Find out more here.
SARI. Stand Against Racism and Inequality is a charity that provides free and confidential support for anyone who is a victim of hate crime across Avon and Somerset. Support them here.
