Greater Manchester Hate Crime Awareness Week takes place from the 3rd to the 7th of February and is recognised each year by the ten boroughs that make up the Greater Manchester County, promoting a message of a county that is ‘Too Great for Hate’. Manchester is one of the most diverse cities in the UK with almost 200 languages spoken in the city; it is truly multi-ethnic, multi-faith, multicultural and multilingual. In Greater Manchester, hate crime affects individuals based on race, religion, sexual orientation, disability, transgender identity, and alternative subcultures with over 9,600 incidents recorded between September 2023 and August 2024. Many hate crimes still go unreported. It is time to take a stand against hate crime in Greater Manchester. Together, Manchester is showing that hate has no place here, and through unity, we can create a future where everyone is free to live without fear.

Our Greater Manchester Hate Crime Awareness Week resource contains an information sheet covering what hate crime is and how to report it. There are also three short lesson plans exploring banter, bullying, stereotypes and hurtful language – all things that can cause hurt and harm and lead to hate if left unchecked. We also talk about how Sophie’s murder was a hate crime.

Please feel free to download and if you do use our resource, please let us know by using the hashtag #WeAreSophie

We have recently been awarded a grant of £30,000 from the Fore Foundation to develop a new primary education resource. The Key Stage 2 resource will be developed to challenge prejudicial and intolerant language and behaviours being displayed by younger and younger pupils in school. Last year we were inundated with primary schools requesting support with resources along the lines of the S.O.P.H.I.E. workshop we offer to older pupils. This new resource will show that it is great that we are all different and have our own thoughts and opinions,  but we do need to be respectful to each other. We’d love any primary teachers to let us know more about prejudicial or intolerant language and behaviours they are currently seeing in school. Thanks to the Fore Foundation for the brilliant opportunity to develop this much-needed resource.

The Sophie Lancaster Foundation work with young people to change mindset about difference. We challenge the prejudicial language and behaviours that they use and display, particularly targeted at people who they think are different to them. We particularly focus on the language and behaviours that are displayed toward people from alternative subcultures. Our work, however, challenges all prejudice and intolerance and creates powerful learning opportunities for educational professionals to tackle what can be difficult conversations about difference, in a sensitive and supported way.

We currently deliver a successful secondary S.O.P.H.I.E. resource which is designed to challenge intolerant and prejudicial language and mindset. We understand that these behaviours are becoming more and more prevalent in primary schools and want to create a Key Stage 2 resource so we can start these conversations about difference earlier. We have recently been awarded a grant from the Fore Foundation to help us create this resource.

We would like to understand more about that prejudicial language and behaviours that school staff are finding challenging to deal with or are gaining traction in primary schools. We would also appreciate your thoughts on how social media is affecting the issue. Write as much, or as little, as you like. We genuinely appreciate any insight you can bring to our resource development.

Thank you.

Permanent Contract

35 hours per week

Haslingden, Lancashire, with national travel

£30,000 – £35,000 a year

We’re looking for an Education and Engagement Manager to bring our inspiring message of tolerance and respect to a wider audience.

The role

You’ll tell the story of Sophie Lancaster to diverse audiences, bringing the powerful and emotionally challenging subject matter to life, to demonstrate the importance of tolerance and understanding. You will develop and deliver engaging content and learning resources that support positive learning outcomes for these audiences. With a strategic vision, you will build connections and credibility with senior leaders and policy makers in education. As the face of our organisation, you’ll be a confident communicator and be comfortable acting as a spokesperson online and to the media.

A champion of subcultural identity, you’ll ensure that we are always highly visible within alternative and wider communities. Whether it’s on social media, our website or in person at events and festivals, you’ll ensure we deliver our message in an engaging way that grows audiences and attracts supporters and donors.

You will relish being part of a team that support each other with a busy and diverse workload. You may be hands-on, staffing a stall at a freshers’ fair or presenting to senior police officers but will also have a more strategic role, for example, meeting the Head of a school trust to discuss the support we can provide across the wider curriculum.

About you

You may well be from an alternative subculture yourself, but at the very least you’ll be able to understand and empathise with subcultural groups and champion cultural difference.

Delivering workshops and presentations that inspire diverse audiences and challenge perceptions, you’ll need to be an accomplished and engaging public speaker. You’ll be a skilled creator of educational content, producing quality resources that embed our message of respect and tolerance right across the curriculum. You will also be an adept organiser and administrator, able to manage a diary packed with festivals and other events that you’ll attend. Driving the company vehicle and occasional overnight stays are necessary.

Most importantly, you’ll be an energetic, positive personality, able to build connections with communities and supporters as an ambassador for the Sophie Lancaster Foundation and the values we represent.

Applying

Please download the Role Requirements (or email enquiries@sophielancasterfoundation.com to request a copy). You can also email this address to arrange a telephone conversation about the role with Alison Vincent, SLF Chief Executive.

CVs MUST be accompanied by a personal statement, showing how you fulfil the Role Requirements; and should be emailed to enquiries@sophielancasterfoundation.com by 10.00pm on the 26 January 2025. Interviews will be held week commencing 27th January immediately after shortlisting.

We champion the value of difference and equality and celebrate a diverse and inclusive workforce. If you are disabled and have the skills and the experience to do the job, then let us know if you require adjustments through your journey with us. The ability to drive is essential in order to access locations inaccessible by public transport as is the handling and carrying of presentation displays and resources.

Safeguarding

In the process of recruitment, the Sophie Lancaster Foundation implement actions including criminal record checks to ensure children and vulnerable people are safeguarded and abuse is prevented. Successful candidates will require an Enhanced DBS Check.