Planning Your Community Safety Year
Planning ahead is important for any community safety organisation.
Some crime is seasonal, so forward planning can help you prepare to deal with it. For small or inexperienced organisations campaigning can also seem quite daunting and therefore national/international awareness or action days can be useful if incorporated into your organisation's work plan. By joining with others you can focus your activity and have a greater impact.
Depending on the aims of your organisation here are a few suggestions of important dates that could be incorporated into your new year's work plan.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans History Month
February 2008
LGBT History month celebrates the lives and achievements of the LGBT community. It is based on the successful Black History Month model and was first held in the UK in 2005. This year they will be attempting to beat the record 700 events held up and down the country last year.
The website provides tips and suggestions for those hoping to organize activities and lists events planned around the country.
To find details of these and more visit the website:
www.lgbthistorymonth.org.uk/
International Womens' Day
8th March 2008
International Women's Day has been celebrated every year since 1911. Each year on 8 March, hundreds of International Women's Day events occur all around the world. Events range from small random informal gatherings to large-scale highly organised events. All celebrate women's advancement and highlight the need for continued vigilance and action.
Events planned for 2008 include a women's march from Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square.
To find out more visit:
www.internationalwomensday.com/
Capital Clear Up
8th March - 15th June 2008
The aim of the Capital Clear Up campaign is to get people involved in making improvements to their local environment and taking longer term ownership and pride in their area.
Suggestions of potential areas of work include:
- Clean up events
- Habitat restoration
- Regeneration linked initiatives
- Community Payback.
You can get involved in existing events or organize your own. To find out more visit:
www.capitalstandards.com/cleanup/background.jsp
Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month
June
In 2008 the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) announced that the month of June will be Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month. This will be an annual event.
Visit the Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month website for a wealth of information, details of how to get involved and to find out what's taking place this year. www.grthm.co.uk
Refugee Week
16th - 22nd June 2008
Refugee Week is a UK-wide programme of arts, cultural and educational events that celebrate the contribution of refugees to the UK, and promotes understanding about the reasons why people seek sanctuary. It is held to coincide with World Refugee Day on 20th June.
In 2007, there were over 400 small and large events, ranging from big music festivals and art exhibitions to political debates, film screenings, conferences, school activities, sports and community events etc.
To find out more about this year's event visit the dedicated website at:
www.refugeeweek.org.uk/
6 Week School Summer Holiday
Late July - Early September 2008
Although the exact dates of the school summer holidays may vary from borough to borough this time is traditionally associated with higher rates of youth crime and anti-social behaviour. Therefore it is also a time when many diversionary activities such as summer play schemes and sports courses take place. If you work with children and young people why not consider running a summer scheme?
London Week of Peace
14th - 21st September 2008
London Week of Peace is an annual week of high profile events, initiatives and action organised principally by communities and individuals but also engaging organisations, businesses and public agencies, to promote greater community cohesion, safety and peace across the capital.
Last year saw events such as a 5km Peace Run, the Peace Awards Dinner, faith services and concerts. There were activities held in all of London's 33 boroughs.
You can find out more by visiting:
www.weekofpeace.org.uk/ or www.peacealliance.org.uk/
Black History Month
October 2008
Black History Month has been celebrated across the UK every October for over 30 years. It is a time when the achievements of the black community are highlighted and celebrated.
A host of high profile and smaller events are held around the country celebrating achievement and struggle and teaching history.
Comprehensive event listings and ideas on how to get involved can be found on the website at:
www.blackhistorymonthuk.co.uk/
Inside Justice Week
18th -25th October
Inside Justice Week is an annual campaign that aims to open up the Criminal Justice System to the public through a week of co-ordinated events and media activities across England and Wales.
Up and down the country, events are organised to show just how justice is done in our police stations, courts and prisons by encouraging individuals and communities to engage with the CJS and see directly how they can help deliver justice and why it matters. Last year events included Court Open Days, Mock trials, Schools activities, Tours of cells and police stations and public engagement events.
To find out more visit: www.cjsonline.gov.uk/insidejustice
Make A Difference Day
25th October 2008
CSV Make a Difference Day is the UK's biggest day of 'hands-on' volunteering, the only campaign that asks people to give time, not money.
Last year, over 120,000 volunteers took part in 4000 activities that transformed local communities across the UK.
There are many opportunities to join in as a volunteer on existing events or to organise your own activities.
To keep updated you can sign up to the e-newsletter by visiting the website at:
www.csv.org.uk/campaigns/make+a+difference+day/
Halloween
31st October 2008
Halloween is a time of the year when youth anti-social behaviour can be at its peak. Many members of the community find the 'trick or treating' and associated behaviour quite intimidating. If you work with young people have you considered running diversionary activities? If you work with vulnerable members of the community is there anything that you can do to offer extra reassurance and support?
Bonfire Night
5th of November 2008
Along with Halloween, Bonfire Night is another time when anti-social behaviour is at a peak. It is an extremely busy time for the emergency services with many firework related accidents occurring. Can your group consider running diversionary activities or doing some educational work to get the safety messages across?
National Anti-Bullying Week
17th - 21st November 2008
This years theme for anti-bullying week is ?Bullying and Racism?.
For more information and to find out how to get involved visit the Anti-Bullying Week website: www.antibullyingweek.co.uk
16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence
25th November - 10 December 2008
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence is an international campaign that runs from November 25 ( International Day Against Violence Against Women) to December 10 ( International Human Rights Day) to symbolically link violence against women and human rights, and to emphasise that such violence is a violation of human rights.
The 16 Days of Activism has been used as an organising strategy by women's groups to call for the elimination of violence against women.
To read more visit:
www.womankind.org.uk/16-days-of-activism.html
World Aids Day
1st December 2008
World AIDS Day is an opportunity to bring people together to get talking about HIV. Events are held around the UK and there are many opportunities to contribute and get involved.
Visit the website for more information at:
www.worldaidsday.org
If there are any dates of significance or events of importance that you think we have missed out and that you would like to see added to the calendar please email details in to csas@alt.org.uk
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