It is an exciting time for JUST Lincolnshire as we continue to build on our successes of the past few years. We are working with numerous groups and in numerous different ways to promote equality, the importance of human rights and tackle discrimination in Lincolnshire.
In 2014 JUST Lincolnshire was thrilled to receive funding from the Big lottery so we can deliver our five year JUST Communities project. This project raises awareness of Hate Crime and discrimination and seeks to increase confidence in their reporting, particularly amongst disadvantaged and minority groups. Alongside this, the project also brings people from diverse backgrounds together to celebrate their communities. Here are some facts:
- Over 200 people have attended community Hate Crime Awareness sessions at 19 different venues across the county.
- 2 Community Justice Forums have been established with 3 community ambassadors engaged in the project.
- 550 people from 17 different nationalities have attended community events at various venues across the county.
- 15 different learning centres (ranging from primary schools, secondary schools, colleges and alternative curriculum providers) have engaged with the project. This has involved learning about discrimination and hate crime and exploring human rights through the Magna Carta.
The JUST Communities project directly addresses two of the Big Lottery’s key objectives that of: –
- People having better chances in life, with better access to training and development to improve their life skills and stronger communities.
- More active citizens working together to tackle their problems, whilst also addressing improved rural and urban environments, which communities are better able to access and enjoy.
Where our objectives are the same they will address the:
- Under reporting of hate crime across all communities
- Lack of awareness of what hate crime and hate incidents are and how to report them.
- Lack of cultural, equality and human rights awareness, leading to inaccurate stereotypes and myths, which fuel unfounded prejudice. • Raised community tensions, particularly in Lincoln, Boston, and South Lincolnshire.
- Feedback from educational providers – both formal and informal – indicates increased need but reduced resources to equip young people to tackle discrimination.
- Lack of engagement within communities regarding the development of skills that challenge discrimination and a perception that much of the existing training and awareness raising is not accessible at community level.
Holocaust Memorial Day
JUST Lincolnshire partnered with Boston College on the 27th of January to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day. The day was a great success, with JUST Lincolnshire talking to many students and remembering not just the victims of The Holocaust but also victims of genocide in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. Director of JUST Lincolnshire Wes Shelbourne said that he was pleased to “witness many young people committing themselves to a more open, generous and compassionate view of the world.”
Ambassador and Volunteer Training
JUST Lincolnshire offered training to 14 volunteers from several different organisations including Linkage, the care group and Lincoln City Council. As volunteers or ambassadors for JUST Lincolnshire they will champion the core values of JUST Lincolnshire within their communities and organisations whilst also being a point of contact, advice or support for victims of hate crime or on issues of equality. Volunteers discussed issues surrounding hate crime, equality and human rights as well as completing workshops and team building exercises. Training days are vital to the development of both equality and our organisation in the county as it forges vital links for future plans or projects. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or ambassador please contact us via our website.