Kids Against Racism to set-up London pen pal scheme

London-based charity Kids Against Racism has received National Lottery funding to connect young people from diverse communities through a pen pal scheme to combat loneliness and prejudice. The group is using almost £9,000 of funding awarded by The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK, to provide opportunities for friendships to grow between young people from different backgrounds.

Borne out of the pandemic, the 360 Letters project was set up to find new ways for young people to build relationships when they couldn’t meet in person. The aim of the project is to connect migrant children with UK-born children living in London through letters to create a space for them to talk to each other about their hopes, fears and feelings, in a way that might not otherwise be possible.

Helen Valentine, Co-founder of Kids Against Racism (KAR), said: “The purpose of 360 Letters is not to ‘help’ migrant families or to enable non-migrant children to feel that they are doing something good. We want to break down barriers between different communities. We want children to get to know someone outside of their immediate community.”

Massy Spencer, who co-founded Kids Against Racism along with Helen, moved to the UK at a very young age, and the pen pal project is partly inspired by her own childhood experiences, growing up as a young migrant in London.

“When I was 6, my mum – a single mother with four children - was forced to leave Burundi and bring us to the UK. I remember feeling afraid and angry about being in a new country where I didn’t understand the language, not feeling like I belonged or that I was wanted in this new land,” explained Massy.

“From year 4 until my second year at secondary school I was bullied on my way to and from school for being dark skinned, having an African accent, simply because I was from the wonderful Africa which none of these children knew about, apart from what they had learned in school.”

Kids Against Racism is partnering with a local school, Plumcroft Primary School in south east London, and with Lewisham Refugee and Migrant Network (LRMN), to help identify young people to be involved, with the aim of beginning the project in late Autumn.

Helen added: “360 Letters is a simple idea, based on a tried and tested formula of writing to a pen pal, but if it can bring communities together, build relationships and understanding for even a handful of children, it could have a huge impact on the next generation as they grow into adulthood. Our work at KAR is about early intervention - empowering children – rather than battling societal problems of young adults.”

“We hope that the element of anonymity in having a pen pal might help children to share things with each other that they might not feel they can share with a friend or family member in person.”

The group is using National Lottery funding to provide all participating families with the equipment and training needed to take part in the project, including stamps and stationery.

“360 Letters would not be possible without this funding and we are extremely grateful to National Lottery players for making this possible.”

Kids Against Racism is just one of more than 800 charities and community groups across London benefiting from over £30 million of National Lottery funding throughout 2021 so far*.

Helen Bushell, Senior Head of Regional Funding for London, South East and East of England at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “I am incredibly proud to see the amazing impact that money raised by National Lottery players is having in communities across London. Recent challenges have shone a light on the inspiring volunteers and groups, like Kids Against Racism, who have been dedicated to helping their communities to thrive. This funding has given a much-needed boost to community spirit this year after what have been some extremely difficult times.”

London isn’t alone in benefiting from National Lottery funding. Today it was announced that almost £200 million has been distributed to more than 4,500 community groups across England so far this year’. *

The National Lottery Community Fund distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes. Thanks to National Lottery players, last year we awarded over half a billion pounds (£588.2 million) of life-changing funding to communities across the UK. Over eight in ten (83%) of our grants are for under £10,000 – going to grassroots groups and charities across the UK that are bringing to life amazing ideas that matter to their communities.

National Lottery players raise £36 million each week for good causes throughout the UK**.

To find out more visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk