a message from our ceo and chair

• 19th August 2024
• Third Sector News | TSL Kirklees News |

standing together to promote peace and unity

and advice on staying safe during times of unrest

Dear VCSE colleagues

TSL Kirklees prides itself on being an inclusive organisation that sees diversity as a strength.  In light of the recent events in West Yorkshire and around the country, we want to add our voice to those of the faith and community leaders, police, health and council colleagues that we work in partnership with, to condemn the violence, racism and Islamophobia that we’ve been witnessing.  We stand together with them in promoting peace and unity. 

We are in contact with relevant authorities and we are working together to make sure that everyone is kept informed and safe. You will know that a lot of what you may see online is rumour, speculation and misinformation (including reports of a far-right demonstration in Huddersfield earlier in the week), and your efforts in working in your communities to get people to think twice before sharing or doing anything that might escalate a volatile situation are appreciated.

We are here to support you now and in the coming months to ensure racists and those carrying out this violence do not undermine the cohesion and relationships we all work so hard to build in our communities. Please get in touch if you want to talk about any of this, have any concerns, or suggestions about how we can work together to address any divisions and issues that have arisen.

In the meantime, we’ve pulled together a number of official resources, links and advice from the Charity Commission, National Council for Voluntary Organisations, police and others (below) to help you, your organisation and your community manage risk and stay safe.

Michael Pitchford, CEO, TSL Kirklees

Andy Petrie, Chair, TSL Kirklees

resources, advice & support

Support for organisations

• Support from the Charity Commission:
  • The Charity Commission has issued a statement and guidance in response to the riots and public disorder and they are keen to emphasize that:
    • they are aware that this is the first time charities have been targeted explicity in a crisis, rather than being part of the solution
    • that they are receiving more enquiries, particularly to the safeguarding helpline, but that charities should reach out if they need help and advice
    • they have particularly added additional guidance on:
      • making sure that you speak to your funders as soon as possible if you cannot deliver some of your funded activities
      • understanding the legislations and risks of showing support for affected communities via rallies and campaigns
      • and social media guidance to make sure that you’re not sharing misinformation and are considering risks.
  • Charity Commission statement in response to riots and public disorder – including extra help for mosques and guidance for trustees
• Support from NCVO:
  • Watch our recent webinar recordings on responding to opposition and communicating in a crisis.
  • Read our free guidance on how to manage risk.
  • Read the CIPD’s advice on supporting your workforce through a crisis.
  • Misinformation is rife across social media, so we would advise against sharing any content without ensuring it’s from an official or verified resource. Instead, please seek guidance and support from local emergency services and your Local Resilience Forum. Watch our video for advice.
  • The VCS Emergencies Partnership provides space and opportunity for local and national voluntary and community organisations to come together, ensuring support effectively reaches those in need.
  • For those who want to donate to support the Southport community, read the Charity Commission’s recent guidance on giving with confidence to registered charities.
  • Over the coming days, we’ll see more information and guidance coming out – including from the Charity Commission – and we’ll share anything useful on our social channels. Make sure you’re following on Instagram, X and LinkedIn for more news and updates
• Support from NAVCA:
  • NAVCA have attended a VCSE partner round table with Sue Gray, the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff, and have fed-back about the discussions (which are intended to be the start of an ongoing discussion) – read the notes
  • Far Right Violence: A Messaging Guide
  • Responding to Racist Violence in Local Communities Guidance
  • Southport Strong Together Appeal
• Support from Locality:
  • updates & resources via their social media channels – Twitter/X  LinkedIn  Facebook
  • Locality Membership Network on Facebook
• Support from Hope Not Hate:
  • Staying Safe Amidst Far Right Violence
  • Keeping Safe Online – a guide for organisations and individuals looking to improve digital security in light of the online far-right threat
  • Far-Right Attacks on Organisations
  • Safety and Security – a guide for organisations, volunteers and individuals working in temporary asylum seeker accommodation

support for organisations with buildings & premises

• Advice on things to consider from the Charity Commission:
  • charities should not hesitate to call emergency services if their staff, volunteers or beneficiaries face abuse, feel threatened, or are in danger
  • are you operating in an area which has seen or is at risk of unrest? If so and you wish to continue to operate what changes could be made to mitigate any risk to your staff, visitors or beneficiaries?
  • have you reviewed the entry points to your property for weaknesses should there be unrest? Can you restrict access/improve secure entry to the property? Are different entrances available?
  • do you have alternative exit routes from the property if required? Are these clear and communicated to staff visitors on arrival?
  • should an incident occur do you have a clear procedure in place for what staff / visitors should do to stay safe? Is everyone briefed on this procedure and is it clear who will issue instructions should an incident occur?
  • do you need to have first aid trained staff or volunteers onsite?
  • have you contacted the local police force community liaison team to agree contact points for sharing of specific risks or to seek specific advice and guidance on operating?
  • who in your charity / how your charity continually reviews the latest advice, guidance or alerts from police forces or other local authorities including monitoring of social media channels
  • if you are at higher risk do you need a procedure at the start of each day to assess risk and a clear channel or method to communicate with staff or beneficiaries prior to start of operations on whether or not they should attend site
  • ensuring you have a clear process or nominated person responsible for acting upon any urgent alert or risk
• Extra help for mosques from the Home Office, including emergency security that can be rapidly deployed.
• Safeguarding your business during public events
• Protect & Prepare – counter-terrorism advice from ProtectUK

support for you & your community

• Community Tensions can be reported via this link – https://my.kirklees.gov.uk/service/Crime_and_safety___Report_a_community_tension
• You can use WY Police LiveChat: Live Chat | West Yorkshire Police.  (But please use 999 if it is an emergency.)
• You can access Prevent Duty training, particularly if you are in contact with potential perpetrators – Prevent duty training: Learn how to support people susceptible to radicalisation | Prevent duty training (support-people-susceptible-to-radicalisation.service.gov.uk)
• Partners can send information to the police via the Police Intelligence Portal or email XC.PIPaccess@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk
• If you see a crime that is in progress or if someone is in immediate danger, please call 999 without hesitation.
• If you experience, witness or have been involved in a hate crime you can report it through West Yorkshire Police, Kirklees Council, at your local library or one of the local VCSE organisations that are Hate Crime Reporting Centres
• Stop Hate UK supports individuals and communities who have been impacted by hate crime & you can report incidents of hate crime through them too – Report all Hate Crime – Stop Hate UK.
• Tell Mama is a confidential support service for those suffering from anti-Muslim hate and discrimination across the UK. Their website has a number of different ways to report anti-Muslim incidents, including via phone or WhatsApp and useful resources on things like mosque security.
• Refugee Action – Far Right Activity – Hotel Residents Information Sheet
• West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub. The support from the hub is available to everyone across West Yorkshire working in health and care services, including voluntary, community, social enterprise sector colleagues.