People in Dorset are experiencing hate every day and it has devastating consequences for them and their families. It also divides communities.  

Tackling prejudice, racism and hate crime matters – we want to bring together the power of local charities and community groups to tackle this and build safe and cohesive communities. 

We want to support a new forum that brings together charities and community groups serving people who may experience hate crime, working alongside statutory services to help build safe and cohesive communities by:  

• developing a shared vision for community cohesion  

• sharing good practice and the strength of our communities 

• building resilience 

• amplifying voices 

• improving communication  

• increasing support  

• influencing statutory service provision  

• co-producing training and awareness-raising  

During the summer of 2024, we held insight-seeking sessions with people working/volunteering in the community to gather lived experience and expert knowledge on hate crime and how we can work together to tackle it better and develop more understanding and respect across all communities in Dorset. 

Those who attended shared their experiences of day-to-day discrimination and hate crime that went mostly unreported, along with their ideas and ambitions for how we could tackle it and have a positive approach to building cohesive flourishing communities.

Doing nothing is not an option

Everyone has something to offer others – we have more in common than we know. Cohesive and flourishing communities cannot be built from the top down or the outside in, but only from the inside out. 

Relationships are at the heart of making change happen

As a local infrastructure charity and members of NAVCA and NCVO, we are well placed in Dorset to bring together groups that may have experienced hate crime and work alongside our statutory partners to build cohesive and flourishing communities. 

Next steps:

• Co-design a forum with the community  

• Work collaboratively with Dorset Police. BCP Council and Dorset Council  

• Reach out to the NHS and Public Health Dorset  

• Involve local businesses  

• Develop a new online presence  

• Work with partners to deliver training and awareness-raising. 

Get involved   

If your organisation is interested in working with us to tackle prejudice, racism and hate crime and create cohesive communities, contact us. 

Join us in making Dorset a place where everyone feels safe, respected, and valued. Together, we can build a community that stands strong against hate.