As the local infrastructure support organisation for Derby, we absolutely condemn the violent disorder perpetrated in the UK over recent days.
We recognise that this violence is rooted in racism and xenophobia, and we condemn the rhetoric that has manifested in these appalling attacks. This is not representative of the voluntary and community organisations that we work with or the communities that they support, who work hard to unite communities, tackle racism and build positive futures.
We stand in solidarity with the communities affected, particularly refugees, immigrants, asylum seekers and people of colour. We support those individuals and families who are the victims of hate.
We are working with and offering our support to local communities, community organisations and statutory partners including local authorities and others.
We are including below for your information, some useful local information and some documents and resources that you may find helpful.
Useful Local Information
Derby City Council has some advice if you're concerned about protests available on its website, as well as a statement from the Council Cabinet. The advice includes the following steps to follow if you believe that you might be in immediate danger:
- always remove yourself from the area of danger
- return to a location where you can safely call the police or your organisation
- remain in a safe space until help arrives. A safe place is somewhere public with other people around, with lots of exits you can easily leave from
- in an emergency always call 999 and ask for the police. If you can’t, ask someone nearby to do so.
Derbyshire Constabulary has also issued various statements around planned protests on the News page of its website.
Further Information and Useful Documents
Charity Commission statement in response to riots and public disorder - Including guidance on responding to public disorder.
Far Right Violence: A Messaging Guide - A guide produced by NEON around messaging when communicating more widely about far-right violence.
Supporting your workforce through a crisis - Advice from the CIPD (The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development).
The VCS Emergencies Partnership provides opportunities for voluntary organisations to come together and co-ordinate help.
Hope Not Hate has an extensive range of publicly available resources to support community engagement, community events and changing the local narrative, including:
- Far-Right Attacks on Organisations - A resource pack with guidance on how to keep your organisation safe.
- Staying Safe Amidst Far Right Activity - A resource, which pulls together some basic considerations to guide decisions about how to keep staff, volunteers and the people they are working with feeling safe and supported.
- Keeping Safe Online - A resource with a number of practical tips on how to improve online safety preventatively and how to respond to breaches of security.
- Safety and Security - A guide for organisations, volunteers and individuals working in temporary asylum seeker accommodation.
- Far Right Activity – Advice for Asylum Seekers and Refugees - A resource with advice for asylum seekers and refugees on how to keep themselves and their family members safe.
NCVO (The National Council for Voluntary Organisations) has provided a statement about the England Riots that includes a list of advice and support, including:
- How charities can tackle misinformation - A written guide
- How to handle misinformation - A short video guide, which offers advice on how to communicate online without feeding into misinformation.
- Webinar recordings available on responding to opposition and communicating in a crisis.
- Guidance on how to manage risk.
