The start of a regular feature where we spotlight other incredible groups of people working to build greater togetherness in England.
Through the ‘A very English chat’ campaign we discovered many groups and organisations doing great positive work against social division.
By highlighting their work we can build closer links between all those countering growing social division and polarisation in our country.
Here we are in conversation with Nigel Bromage, Head Trustee, Exit Hate.
1 - What does your group do?
We are a registered charity (1197666) that uses the lived experience of reformed former far-right activists and parents who have had a loved one involved in far-right extremism to help people walk away from extremist involvement, and support families with a son or daughter involved in extremism.
2 - Why do you do what you do?
That’s a good question. Because we know what involvement is like and the damage and hurt involvement in extremism causes to - the victims of hate, those involved, their families and the communities where activists live, many of us want to stop people from getting involved or if someone is involved, show them there is a path away from extremism.
Wanting to develop safe, inclusive communities, where ALL cultures are respected, we want to put back into society, because for many years, we wanted to destroy it. Now against ALL extremism, we are building a positive from a huge negative and reducing extremism one person at a time.
3 - How do you do what you do?
We operate in many ways through multiple online outlets which advertise our existence and the reason why we do this, is so people know they are not alone.
If people need support, they self-refer to us and have an assessment call with someone who has lived experience.
We listen, never judge and offer guidance, signposting people to support from agencies like Prevent and Act Early.
If someone wants lived experience support we offer a listening ear, guidance, and help people walk away from involvement at their pace. We never judge and seek to reduce extremism via education, compassion and understanding.
We have an online support programme, people can work through at their own pace and even offer 121 mentoring support if needed.
4 - How did you start?
Initially, we started as a community group when a small group of Former activists got together and spoke about how much easier it would have been if a group existed to help people leave the far-right.
Slowly we built up, became a CIC (Community Interest Company), supporting people involved to walk away from extremism and now we operate as a registered charity.
5 - What are your future plans?
Recently we became a Christchurch Call Foundation partner. The foundation seeks to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online.
For more information, please visit: - https://www.christchurchcall.org
Aware the majority of people become radicalised online, we want to develop resources that frontline staff can use, to engage with people supportive of extremism and help them re-evaluate their opinions, so they can rebuild their lives , away from hate.
Seeking to work in partnership, we know we cannot reduce extremism on our own and want to work with others of like mind, and together, we believe we can reduce extremism and build a safer country for all.