All Different, All Equal Project Brought to Life by National Lottery Community Fund
Local anti-hate charity Stand Against Racism & Inequality (SARI) is delighted to have been awarded multi-year funding by National Lottery Community Fund’s Reaching Communities Programme to support its anti-hate project All Different, All Equal.
This vital project will build on work previously funded by the Reaching Communities Programme, offering both reactive and preventative hate interventions. It will deliver free and expert casework support for victims of hate in BANES, North Somerset, and Somerset, helping to ensure that there is a safe space for people to turn to when targeted by hate, and, in doing so, building safer, healthier communities.
Support from the Reaching Communities Programme will fund two Equalities and Communities Leads who will deliver awareness sessions to schools, building understanding and awareness around the impact of hate. These will support young people to develop positive social and emotional skills, helping them to thrive in their school community.
They will also offer training sessions to public services and other organisations, helping them to recognise and respond to hate effectively. Their aim is to grow a network of allies across the region, bringing together passionate people dedicated to standing in solidarity against hate and the devastating effect it has on people and their communities.
“We are incredibly grateful to the National Lottery Community Fund’s Reaching Communities Programme for once again recognising the importance of SARI’s anti-hate work,” says Alex Raikes MBE DL, Chief Executive of SARI. “This funding comes at a time when our work is sadly so needed, with rising hate across our communities.” In the year ending March 2025, Avon and Somerset Police saw a 33.5% increase in recorded hate crimes.[1]
“Hate devastates lives and communities. We want to counter the narrative, creating a culture where diversity is championed, where people can thrive, whilst also being out there and visible for all people at risk of being subjected to hate and prejudice.”
The funding will help reach the more rural parts of BANES, North Somerset, and Somerset, where people may be experiencing hate but are not aware of SARI’s support. “Everyone deserves to feel welcomed and included in their local community, and we want to make sure that people have a safe space to turn to when this isn’t the case.”
All Different, All Equal will run for five years, supporting hundreds of people with dedicated victim support and providing training and education interventions for thousands of children and adults to help build inclusive and welcoming communities. “These interventions will help reduce negative attitudes and behaviour towards diverse communities and build allyship in our quest to stop hate. We see the work this grant will fund as critical given the world we are in which feels more and more scary. We are so thankful to the Reaching Communities Programme for investing in SARI's services and for recognising how important it is to have a dedicated service for dealing with hate!” concludes Alex.