The Bristol charity calling for a ‘Network of Allies’ to combat hate crimes in rural Somerset

Stand Against Racism & Inequality (SARI), a Bristol-based organisation supporting victims of hate crimes in the South West, has been awarded nearly £800,000 of National Lottery funding, raised by National Lottery players, to combat a rise in referrals in BANES, North Somerset and Somerset.

The funding is a crucial injection of cash to combat the increased number of hate crime cases coming from rural areas. SARI will use the money to continue its specialist training and empowerment sessions helping residents, community groups, schools, agencies and police departments recognise and combat hate crimes and effectively support victims, as well as setting up a brand new ‘network of allies’, a new model for the organisation.

Alex Raikes MBE DL, Strategic Director of SARI, hopes that the network will raise their profile in rural areas and encourage people to come forward.

“We are planning on recruiting a network of allies - parents, neighbours, agency workers, teachers. It could be anyone passionate about making their community a safe place for everyone to live. Then, we’ll give them training to allow them to advocate for vulnerable people in their area. We are really excited and think it could go a long way to help combat the increase of incidents we have seen coming from rural areas.

“We are really grateful to the National Lottery, we wouldn’t have been able to keep going if it hadn’t been for their support over the years.”

Founded in 1991, SARI responds to 700 – 800 referrals a year with victims of hate crimes ranging from verbal abuse and slashed tyres to murder. Starting out as an organisation set up to tackle racism, the group widened to be there for victims of all types of hate in 2012. They deliver services collaboratively with specialist partners and locally have partnered with other local organisations including The Diversity Trust and SWAN advocacy to ensure their services better reach the LGBTQ+ community and people with disabilities.

422 charities and community groups across the South West have been awarded more than £18.2 million of National Lottery funding throughout 2021 so far*.

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

Rowan Miller, Head of Funding for the South West at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “I am incredibly pleased to see the amazing impact that money raised by National Lottery players is having in communities across the South West. Recent challenges have shone a light on the inspiring volunteers and groups, like SARI, who have been dedicated to helping their communities. This funding has given a much-needed boost to people in their communities this year after what have been some extremely difficult times.”

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.

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