Strengthening communities

Our Active Bystander programmes give people the confidence and practical skills to recognise prejudice, safely challenge harmful behaviour and support those experiencing identity-based violence. Delivered with schools, workplaces, public bodies and community organisations, our evidence-based training helps build cultures where everyone understands they have a role to play in preventing harm. 

We design and deliver long-term programmes that strengthen local leadership, build relationships across communities and address the causes of division. Through initiatives such as Communities Together and Design. Build. Act., we support community organisations to develop local solutions, share learning and create lasting change that continues beyond individual projects. 

Communities do not lack leaders. Often they are already there, the people others turn to when challenges arise, only they themselves do not recognise the role they play. We identify them, connect them with one another, and equip them with the knowledge and opportunities to grow their impact. Through initiatives such as our Understanding Hate Crime training, we help local leaders build safer, more connected communities. 

Some organisations come to us with a specific challenge; others want help developing a programme, understanding local tensions or responding to division. We tailor our support to each partner's needs. Our national partnership with The Football Association, Flag It, is one example: we trained more than 100 County FA staff in football-specific active bystander skills to safely challenge abuse and discrimination.