Leading public service provider Amey has entered a new partnership in Bromley, South London, with the UK's leading anti-racism Charity Show Racism the Red Card, local contractor Relative Groundwork Ltd and Crystal Palace Football Club’s official charity ‘Palace for Life Foundation’.
The project aims to tackle racism in the borough by working with local schools to raise awareness of the issue and to educate students about what behaviour is correct, the laws and processes by which it can be reported to the authorities.
Tamara Fletcher, Deputy Head of the Warren Road Primary School in Bromley, said: “The recent visit of the ‘Show Racism the Red Card team’ had an instant, positive impact on all our children. It was fun and engaging while delivering a strong message of equality and respect. The Educators Lionel Morgan, Francis Duku and Shona Chitate were able to connect with the children in a way that is sometimes hard for teachers. The children looked up them and literally hung on their every word. We saw an immediate change in the way many of the boys and girls treated each other during football practice, but also on the playground. I would highly recommend their training. It really was outstanding.”
Darren Nolan, Amey’s Account Manager for Bromley said: "The sooner we can bring an end to racism the better, which is why it's absolutely right for us to be leveraging some of our influence as a major service provider to local government to help our client tackle this serious issue on a local level. We're delighted to be announcing this new partnership and we look forward to working with the project partners."
Steve Goodsell, Southern Region Manager of Show Racism the Red Card, added, "We are pleased to be part of what is the first project of its kind delivered by SRtRC in the UK. Young people need support in today's world, with extremism, terrorist attacks and hate crime being reported on a regular basis. This joint project helps to educate on acceptable behaviours, reassure them, make sense of things and to stay safe."
Tony Gallifant, general manager of Relative Groundwork, added, “RGW has been involved with Show Racism the Red Card for a number of years and has developed strong relationships with the charity and schools within the Bromley borough. The excellent work done by the charity to educate the children about how to deal with racism, what words to use and what behaviour is correct in an ever changing, difficult and multi-cultural society is fantastic. We are very grateful to Amey for joining us in supporting Show Racism The Red Card and hope to grow the support in the future across other boroughs in which we work as our relationship develops”
Sam Bacon, PE & School Sport Officer, The Palace for Life Foundation (the Crystal Palace Football Club Charity) said: “The Palace for Life Foundation are excited to be working closer with Show Racism the Red Card in the coming year, utilising the power of football to help create a better community and society. Everyone matters, irrespective of race, religion, beliefs or background.”
Representatives from the partnership have been visiting local schools in Bromley since April until July. Palace for Life Foundation, meanwhile, are supporting the project by providing free club merchandise and opportunities to visit Selhurst Park.
For more information, visit: http://www.theredcard.org/