Over the past few weeks, many of us here in the North East have felt the weight of a growing challenge. We’ve seen a rise in racist incidents and an unsettling sense that this behaviour is being treated as if it’s acceptable.
At VONNE, we know that our role as a membership body and regional infrastructure organisation is more important now than ever. Together, we hold the line for strong, inclusive communities across the North East. We don’t proclaim to be experts or to hold answers, but we are here to listen, to support, and to build spaces where everyone belongs. We will amplify anti-racist voices, we will call out aggression when we see it, and we can hold fast to the vision of a positive, welcoming North East that works for all.
We’ve created a shared space with a list of resources you can access for advice in navigating difficult conversations, writing statements and assessing organisational risk. We’ll regularly review and update the page, and we encourage you to add your own information and resources if others would find them helpful, so keep checking back for new guidance and support as it becomes available.