A group of talented adults with learning difficulties have put their creative skills to the test to design two plaques to highlight Hate Crime Awareness Week.
The “H8” and “#Thisisme” signs are the work of adults who attend Endeavour Woodcrafts in Ferryhill.
They will be used by Durham Constabulary to highlight awareness events surrounding hate crime during the week of action which runs until Saturday.
Alan Curry, woodwork support worker at Endeavour Woodcrafts, said the group had spent about two weeks working on the project and they were really proud of what they had created. “We first did something for Hate Crime Week two years ago,” said Mr Curry. “Durham Constabulary asked us to use the logo and the hashtag but the rest was down to us. We are lucky that we don’t seem to have an issue with hate crime but it is important the people who come here are aware of it and know what to do.”
Inspector Rachel Stockdale of Durham Constabulary said: “It’s important that we all come together in our communities to identify such ignorance and prejudice and to encourage everyone to embrace each other for who they are and what they believe. Having groups like this one involved in National Hate Crime Awareness Week is brilliant in helping us to raise the issue around hate crime, start conversation and to recognise the importance of challenging such behaviour.”
Endeavour Woodcrafts is a centre for adults with learning difficulties and mental health issues to provide them with woodwork and craft skills.