A project has helped lead efforts to encourage primary school pupils across Merseyside to take a stand against hate crime in order to help reduce it in future generations.
The Hate Makes Me Feel project is at the forefront of Hate Crime Awareness Week using interactive activities, storytelling, and discussion to help children grasp the impact of hate crime.
This includes being able to identify when it occurs and feeling confident enough to report it all through age-appropriate sessions designed to keep younger children engaged.
Danielle Azanuwh is the director of Powerfull Beyond All Measure CIC, the company who collaborated with Merseyside Police on the project.
She said: “Our partnership with Merseyside Police began four years ago with a shared goal— to engage migrant communities in North Liverpool and address the underreporting of hate crime.
“We recognised that many individuals, especially those whose English is a second language, didn’t feel confident or safe enough to report incidents.
“The response to these sessions so far has been incredible. This work is vital – not just to educate and empower – but to ensure every child and adult feels safe, supported, and part of a community that stands firmly against hate.”
The project is among 22 successful recipients of the Community Cashback Fund, an initiative by the Police and Crime Commissioner and Merseyside Police that reinvests funds recovered from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) back into local communities.
The fund supports efforts to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, enhance community resilience, and assist vulnerable groups.
Delivered in collaboration with Merseyside Police’s Community Engagement Unit, the initiative has reached nearly 2,000 pupils and trained 50 professionals across schools throughout Merseyside.
This year’s funding prioritised projects aimed at boosting community integration and cohesion, as well as addressing hate crime, in response to the violence and unrest experienced across the region last summer.
In addition to workshops for young people, the programme offers training sessions for school staff and informal gatherings for parents to provide them with the tools and confidence to recognise, and report hate crime, promoting safer and more inclusive school and community environments.
Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner, Emily Spurrell said: “At a time when division and intolerance are being amplified across society, it’s critical that we take action to stop the spread of hate.
“Initiatives like Hate Makes Me Feel are doing just that—empowering young people to understand the impact of hate crime and giving them the tools to challenge it.
“By reaching children early, we’re helping to build a generation that values empathy, respect and inclusion, and ultimately creating safer, stronger communities for everyone.
“It’s more important than ever to show that Merseyside stands united against hate in all its forms, and I’m proud to support grassroots organisations like Powerful Beyond All Measure CIC who are leading the way in making that vision a reality.”
Merseyside Police and partners have also come together to mark Hate Crime Awareness Week by reiterating their shared commitment to promote a safer and more inclusive community, for all who live in the region.
Serious offences like hate crimes are often motivated by prejudice towards a person’s race, religion, disability sexual orientation or gender identity- solely targeting someone because of who they are.
These crimes may include but are not limited to incidents such as verbal abuse, property damage, threats and physical violence.
Five dedicated Hate Crime Coordinators have been appointed by Merseyside Police, specifically to make sure incidents like these are thoroughly recorded, investigated, and addressed.
They are there not only there to support victims with advice and guidance but also collaborate with partner organisations to build proactive strategies that deter repeat offending and encourage preventative action.
Spurrell said: “Nobody should suffer fear, intimidation, and abuse simply because of who they are or the life they lead and even one victim of hate crime, is one too many.
“Hate Crime Awareness Week is a powerful reminder that we all have a role to play in challenging hate and standing up for one another.
“Across Merseyside, we’ve seen communities, schools, and organisations come together to send a clear message: hate has no home here.
“Through education, partnership, and support services like Victim Care Merseyside, we’re working to ensure every victim feels heard, supported, and safe.
“I’m proud of the work being done across our region, and I remain committed to building a Merseyside where everyone is treated with dignity and respect, regardless of who they are.”
@merseynewslive The ‘Hate Makes Me Feel’ campaign continues to unite the Liverpool community in the fight against hate crime, starting from primary schools upwards. #hatecrimeawarenessweek #liverpool
