Supporting Yourself and Others During Far-Right Violence

At All The Elements, we know that the racist and Islamophobic violence we are seeing across the UK will be affecting people in our network. Promoting the outdoors and activities in nature for systemically excluded groups can be difficult work at any time, and we wanted to provide some resources to help support people through this time.

We’ve split these resources between those for individuals, and those who are leading groups to make it easier to find the right information for your situation. Some of the resources are for people directly affected and others are for those wanting to support or show solidarity.

The number one thing that all the resources prioritise is your safety and wellbeing, and those of your communities.

This is not an exhaustive list and we will add to it as we find useful resources, but we hope it will help.

Signposting and Resources – for Individuals

• ClimbMuz and Asian Climbing Crew have compiled an information pack with resources that include safety information, victim support, community support, training, and more.

• Hope not Hate has created a Staying Safe Guide in direct response to the riots and violence. (The website does ask you to give your email to be sent the guide directly, but it provides specific information for people fearful of or at risk of being directly targeted by far-right violence).

• MIND has some information on how racism can affect mental health and how it can cause barriers to support.  MIND also offers some free advice on self-care, as well as a free wellbeing support line for anyone needing some emotional support right now. Available weekdays 9am-6pm. 0300 102 1234. Find out more.

• The Muslim Community Helpline is a free and confidential listening service. Available weekdays 10am-1pm. Contact Muslim Community Helpline 

• Refugee Council provides support and advice to refugees and people seeking asylum, including specialist mental health support. You can also read their response to the criminal activity against hotels.

• Young Minds has a ‘Self-care guide for young Muslims’ that provides tips and advice on self-care specifically from an Islamic perspective.

• The South Asian Heritage Month team has been compiling a list of resources on LinkedIn and will also share a larger list on their website when it is ready. 

• One of the resources from that LinkedIn post is this article on self-care techniques for combating the effects of racism, which include taking a nap and connecting with your friends and loved ones.

• Black Minds Matter UK is a charity connecting Black individuals and families with free therapy by qualified and accredited Black therapists. Black Minds Matter.

• HUCK magazine has spoken to experts about How to stay safe whilst resisting the far right.

• Green and Black Cross is a group of volunteers who can help with legal matters arising from protest. They have a list of key advice for people going on resistance protests including a Protest Support Line, information about your rights, speaking to police and finding a solicitor with protest experience.

• UCL has a housing 5-point guide How to be an active bystander, when you witness behaviour that is inappropriate or threatening. It includes information on how to intervene safely and offer support to victims.

• Lastly, remember that there are many reasons you might not have the capacity to engage actively in resistance action – for example burnout, your personal safety or a history of trauma. Your limits are personal and your safety and wellbeing is worth prioritising.    

Signposting and Resources – for Organisations & Groups

• Consider your wording and framing of both external and internal communications – this Messaging Guide has been created by NEON and gives extensive advice and information: Far Right Violence | A Messaging Guide

• A statement of solidarity might be useful to share on your channels. For examples, check out Climate Reframe and Out Outrunners

• If you run events, it could be good to update any risk assessments taking into account how the current situation could affect your community or events in public.

• Migration Exchange have shared a blog with advice for organisations in the migration sector. It also has information for funders with specific actions they can take to protect communities from far-right violence, which could be useful for organisations. Standing Together: Solidarity in the face of adversity | by Migration Exchange  

• Hope not Hate have a huge range of resources, including guides to online safety and Anti-migrant protests: what you can do. Their Staying Safe guide also has specific information for charities and community groups who carry out community based work.

• Provide support to colleagues, volunteers and employees affected. Consider what work is essential and whether work can be shared among others to allow space for those most affected.

If you would like to share a resource you think would help our network, please get in touch with us via our contact page with the subject line ‘Anti-fascist support and resources’.