This page contains examples of good practice from Sunderland and around the UK in relation to anti racism work. 

There are many different organisations trying to combat racism across the country from large organisations like Show Racism the Red Card to smaller, voluntary organisations working directly with local communities.  Talking to people who are already involved in these projects means that ideas can be shared and the best way of working can be recommended. 

Examples of best practice may involve organisations who:

• give support to victims of racist incidents
• raise awareness about the impact of racism in society
• work with perpetrators of racist incidents

ARCH hopes to work together with many different organisations in Sunderland to challenge racism, support victims of racist incidents and take action against perpetrators.

Racism awareness training for practitioners and young people - Sunderland

This racism awareness training has been developed using the REWIND model.  REWIND is racism awareness work with a difference.  The work is based on exposing the myths that have been created around issues of 'race' and racism using factual and practical evidence to expose these myths.

Method

The training involves the use of games, video, powerpoint and flipchart and is made up of 3 x 1 hour modules based on the themes of:

• Why we need to do this work
• Deconstructing 'race'
• How prejudices are formed/ what we do next?

Cost and Venue

The REWIND racism awareness training is free and can be carried out at your youth project.

What young people from the pilot said about the training:

"Provided good info on the origins of racism"

"It made you think about your ancestors and how/why you look like you do"

"It helps you get into reality and realise that we need to do something to stop racism happening"

For further information and to book the training contact:

Jim Kennedy

Training and Accreditation Officer

Youth Development Group

270a Hylton Road

Sunderland. SR4 7XJ

Telephone: 0191 553 7810

Show Racism the Red Card

The Sunderland Partnership has been working with Show Racism the Red Card since June 2004 to deliver anti-racism training to schools and youth groups in the City. Funded by the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, it was the first local authority area in the country to work with the organisation in this manner. Show Racism the Red Card uses the popularity and impact of football to challenge and raise awareness of racism and prejudice in society and has subsequently proved to be one of the most successful, innovative and positive programmes the Sunderland Partnership and Sunderland City Council has ever been involved with.

Led by ex-Sunderland captain Gary Bennett and former Republic of Ireland international Keiron Brady, the workshops combine classroom anti-racism sessions with football training. The anti-racism workshops use DVD’s and learning packs to explore the important issues of racism and discrimination, followed by class discussions and activities. When Show Racism the Red Card are present in a school for more than one session, the young people are given the opportunity to produce posters, poems and short stories on the subject of anti-racism.

Following on from the success of the project in Sunderland, the scheme attracted interest from other authorities across the UK and the best practice developed in Sunderland is now being used as the basis for similar projects across the country. The Sunderland Partnership also sponsors the popular Sunderland AFC Show Racism the Red Card posters, the England team posters for major competitions such as the European Championships and the World Cup and have been commissioned to continue it’s work into 2007/08.

For more information on Show Racism the Red Card click here.

If you have any questions about ARCH please telephone 0191 553 2480 or email sunderlandarch@sunderland.gov.uk