In this blog, our Operations and Member Services Support Officer, Mandeep Chohan writes about her involvement with the North East Anti Racism Coalition (NEARC) and the current project they're working on.
August 2025 marks one year on from the racist and Islamophobic riots across the country in summer 2024. The North East Anti Racism Coalition (NEARC) was born out of the response to this and have been working hard to build momentum and create conversations in safe spaces for us to talk about what happened and how we can all make the North East an anti-racist region.
In a recent survey and evidence gathering project, NEARC along with Newcastle University gathered reflections from over 600 members and partners about racism, public discourse, and the challenges we face in 2025. The survey was discussed amongst the Planning Group and NEARC shared an early look at findings during the Coalition's August meeting. There's still much work ahead before the final findings are published, but initial responses offered insight into current realities and can be seen here. The data and discussions captured deep frustrations, emerging patterns and some signs of hope. I've outlined key points in the blog below.
What Hasn’t Changed?
Despite years of campaigning and awareness-raising, some patterns remain. Too often, silence surrounds racist rhetoric, whether online or in everyday spaces. People repeatedly share that they don’t feel heard, as long-standing structural barriers remain unaddressed, leaving many exhausted from having the same conversations again and again. The media continues to fail communities by covering race-related issues poorly, sometimes in ways that fuel prejudice rather than challenge it.
Ignorance and misinformation remain a pressing issue. Many young people are growing up with little exposure to diverse cultures, while social media allows unchecked prejudice to spread widely. These platforms have become safe havens for racism, where a lack of accountability emboldens people to express views openly that might once have remained hidden. Public spaces, too, feel different. Where protests once had focus and energy, they now risk dissolving into chaos, with some participants admitting they didn’t fully understand why they were there.
Racism continues to be reinforced behind closed doors. A youth worker observed how racist views can be denied publicly while being perpetuated privately, passed quietly between generations. In workplaces, silence also lingers, with too many employers unwilling to confront racism head-on. Against this backdrop, one phrase stood out: “Combat immaturity with opportunity.” It captures the need to create constructive alternatives that can inspire change.
What Has Changed?
Alongside these old struggles, new dynamics are shaping the current landscape. Exclusionary language has become more overt, with people increasingly emboldened to use openly racist terms. There is growing anxiety about the rise of political parties such as Reform, and this fear is compounded by weak leadership. Too few public figures are taking visible, principled stands against racism.
Global injustices also cast long shadows. The horrific and relentless attacks in Gaza, alongside ongoing conflicts in the Congo and Sudan, is deepening community divides in the UK, as people witness these crises but feel their pain and perspectives are overlooked. And yet, in the midst of this, hope persists.
Across the country, more people are stepping up to take part in inclusive events and movements that celebrate diversity and reject hatred.
Hopes for the Coalition
Participants in NEARC’s discussions shared strong aspirations for the coalition’s future role. They want to see the normalisation of far-right views challenged head-on, and they believe lasting change requires partnerships with people in positions of power and influence. For some, NEARC should be a disruptive force, but members also stressed the need to avoid stereotypes that portray disruption as anger or hostility.
The coalition’s ability to create safe, connected spaces is seen as one of its greatest strengths. Members want these networks deepened, with resources shared more effectively and voluntary groups given the confidence to speak up about race. Cross-community solidarity also emerged as a priority, with calls to learn from organisations that support communities in staying safe. Above all, members asked for accountability: a clear plan of action with regular updates on progress.
Looking to the future
Perhaps the most urgent question facing NEARC is how to respond to the upcoming protests around immigration hotels. Members were clear that the coalition cannot allow these protests to be normalised as “business as usual,” as police responses sometimes do. Instead, NEARC must reject simplistic “us versus them” narratives, recognising the complexities of the issues at stake.
There was consensus that multiple approaches will be needed, ones that confront racism while also tackling misogyny and violence against women and girls. Members expressed discomfort about when and how to speak out but agreed that the coalition must find its collective voice. Storytelling was highlighted as a vital tool of resistance: by sharing experiences of pain, resilience, and hope, communities can reshape public narratives.
To support this, smaller working groups or “clusters of energy” could help coordinate strategy around specific themes. Training is also needed to empower people to challenge prejudice in everyday conversations. At the same time, NEARC must become more visible, whether through counter-protests, public campaigns, or collective messaging that shows racism will not go unchallenged.
The UK has a strong history of fighting against racism, but it is evolving. Old challenges persist, new threats are emerging and yet hope remains alive in the energy and determination of communities refusing to stay silent.
Members of the VONNE team have been involved with NEARC since its inception and contribute to the planning and working groups. I support the Communications Working Group and as a brown Geordie, feel strongly about collaborating with people from all walks of life passionate about our region.
Speaking about the Coalition’s work, VONNE’s Chief Executive, Martin Brookes said, “VONNE is pleased to be supporting NEARC and its ambition of a North East free of racism. I am pleased that colleagues at VONNE are working at all levels with NEARC and we will do all we can to help. NEARC embodies the finest qualities of the voluntary and community sector in the North East. United by a shared commitment to a noble goal, it demonstrates the strength of collaboration and purpose."
Join NEARC
Anyone can join the Coalition at any time. Together we can turn exhaustion into action, silence into solidarity, and fear into power.
The next NEARC meeting is planned to take place on Wednesday 15th October, 10:00 - 13:00 (Newcastle, TBC), look out for more information on the website and socials.
Join the North East Anti Racism Coalition here - https://northeastantiracism.org.uk/about/
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