St Mary’s students prepare to lead Hate Crime Awareness workshops in partnership with Voice4Change England

Criminology and Sociology students and recent graduates from St Mary’s University, London, have strengthened their commitment, knowledge and skills to tackling hate crime after taking part in a specialist Train the Trainer programme delivered in partnership with Voice4Change England (V4CE) and Protection Approaches.

The intensive Hate Crime Awareness training equipped participants with the confidence to facilitate workshops and lead informed discussions on a sensitive and often distressing subject. Through practical exercises and mock delivery sessions, students developed their communication, critical thinking and public speaking skills - experience that will support both their studies and future careers.

Final-year BSc Criminology and Sociology student, Alex Johnson, said: “It was a great and unique opportunity that helped me develop a lot of skills for the future, as well as develop my knowledge on the area. The practical part also helped with my confidence if I was to deliver this myself. For me as a student this will definitely be helpful for my studies, as well as my personal development. Hopefully soon we will be able to deliver this training to others to increase the knowledge for others in the university and wider community."

Recent graduate, Zaynab Khan, who will shortly begin her career with the Metropolitan Police Service, highlighted how the training aligns directly with her future role: “Attending a workshop created by V4CE and Protection Approaches on Hate Crime was incredibly insightful and hopefully something I can carry out in the future and continue working on and researching about in the role of a PCSO. This gives me the courage to speak out more when I see wrong happen in real time and be more confident in public speaking settings. On top of that, just spreading knowledge and awareness about Hate Crime is the first step to the change we want to see so I will make sure I am a part of that change."

Through the programme, students strengthened key employability skills including the ability to facilitate sensitive discussions – experience that will support their future careers in the criminology and social sector.

Neena Samota, Associate Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at St Mary’s University and Chair of Voice4Change England, said: “I was delighted that Voice4Change England and Protection Approaches included us in this Train the Trainer programme on hate crime. This training was a unique opportunity for St Mary’s students to learn and practise with professionals how to deliver hate crime education effectively. It enabled them to strengthen their communication and facilitation skills while building their credentials as active, responsible citizens.

I was incredibly proud to watch them apply their learning on safety, inclusion and social justice in such a thoughtful and confident way. They will be excellent trainers and will make positive contributions to their communities and future workplaces.”