The Sophie Lancaster Foundation Training

Working with The Sophie Lancaster Foundation provides an important “lived experience” when discussing the impact and affect hate crime has not only on the victim but their family, friends and wider community. Many young people encounter hate on a daily basis but are too scared to come forward and report it but the powerful message that is told through Sophie’s story has inspired many young people to seek the help and support they need which is much need in the complete world they are growing up in.

Thank you to Adam and the team from The Sophie Lancaster Foundation for being part of our Service of Hope as part of National Hate Crime Awareness Week 2019. Sophie’s story is incredibly moving and highlights the impact that hate crime has on our community but hearing from Adam how her tragic death inspired the family to set up The Sophie Lancaster Foundation is an incredible example of the Hope offered to those who are targeted for being different.

Since 2016, it has been such a honour and pleasure to work together with the team at the Sophie Lancaster Foundation – to join forces and work to stop hate crime and they have made a massive contribution to our “No to Hate” conferences here at the National Holocaust Centre and Museum. The talks they have given at our conferences have helped many people to learn about hate and where it can lead. Sylvia – words cannot describe this amazing woman and the courage she has to speak up against hate. The same goes for Adam and his presentation, speaking out in memory of his beloved sister, Sophie. I strongly recommend this amazing organisation! We can all learn a great deal from the team at the Sophie Lancaster Foundation.

Firstly, I would like to thank Sylvia and Dena for delivering such a brilliant and informative presentation. The work Sylvia has done is remarkable and inspiring and should be very proud of the impact she is making. I have had a lot of positive feedback from prisoners and staff who attended. We had a mixed bunch of prisoners, but each and every one of them went out of the chapel having grown as a person. I was glad I was sat at the back so others couldn’t see me well up. I have asked them to write some feedback down and below are some examples I have received, I will no doubt receive more feedback, which I will send on to you.

Sylvia Lancaster’s presentation has left an indelible impression on me. It was sad, enlightening, thought provoking and I was drawn into the feelings that emanated from her. I have been subjected to discrimination to different degrees throughout my life, some minor and some having been more intense, but nothing compares with what Sophie, her family and friends had to endure. To be honest, I was shocked.

Listening to a mother’s grief at the loss of her daughter, and well described account of the injuries suffered, was not easy. I admire Sylvia’s strength of character, and love that she demonstrates - not only in establishing a charity for the remembrance of her daughter, but the fact that others will be comforted, encouraged and hopefully educated by this awful event. Resilience, faith and profound loss for a loved one has demonstrated what a woman can do - indeed a wonderful charity. I must admit I didn’t cry during the presentation but within a short time afterwards I was sobbing.