Hate crime charity New Vision is running specialist disablity awareness training sessions thanks to a grant from The Gateshead Housing Company's Community Fund.
With the £2,000 grant from the fund, which is held by the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, the organisation is delivering bespoke workshops on hate crime, mate crime, safe places and safe reporting centres, as well as social responses to hate crime.
New Vision, which was formed in 2004, is a social enterprise run by seven people with learning disabilities and aims to make businesses and community services more accessible and inclusive.
The interactive workshops use drama, scenarios based on real-life experiences, poems, activities and film.
The sessions, as shown in the photo, include feedback activities where the group watches a short film on mate crime then discusses what's ahppening and the options and suppport available to those affected.
Jamie Conway from New Vision Training said, "It's great to have the suppport of the Community Fund to help us raise awareness and reduce hate crime.
"The aim is to amke Gateshead a more inclusive place for all residents to live regardless of learning disabilities.
You can read more about the Community Fund, and apply for a grant online, at www.communityfoundation.org.uk/apply
To find out more about New Vision Training email - Jamie Conway at jamieconway@gateshead.gov.uk
What is HATE crime?
Hate crime is any unwanted conduct based on the actual or perceived race, colour, religion, national and ethnic origin, gender, age, disability, or sexual oreientation of another individual or group that is intimidating, upsetting, embrassing, humiliating or offensive, which affects your dignity.
This may include verbal abuse, threatening behaviour, physcial abuse, malicius communications, damage to property or possessions and arson or attempted arson.
What is MATE crime?
There is no official definition, but generally speaking, it is a form of crime in whcih a perpetrator befriends a vulnerable person with the intention of exploiting the person financially, physically or sexually. Perpetrators take advantage of the isolation and vulnerability of their victim to win their confidence.