Race Equality North Somerset

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Promoting the rights, interests, welfare & wellbeing of minoritised ethnic communities in N.Somerset

03/11/2026

LIGHT. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU?

Inter Faith Week – Celebrating Light, Sharing Stories, Connecting Communities

Light means different things to different people. Across faiths, beliefs and cultures, it can symbolise hope, peace, love, faith, wisdom, guidance, kindness and new beginnings.

But what does 'light' symbolise in your own faith, belief or personal experience?

As part of Inter Faith Week, Race Equality North Somerset invites you to share your interpretation of light through creativity and personal expression.

You could share:
- A painting, drawing or piece of artwork
- A poem, short story or personal reflection
- A photograph
- Calligraphy, a meaningful quote or a piece of creative writing
- A craft, sculpture or handmade creation
- A song, music recording or spoken-word performance
- A short video or message
- Or any other creative expression that reflects what light means to you.

Everyone is welcome to take part, whatever your faith, belief, culture or background. You don't need to be an artist or a writer - just share something meaningful to you.

Send your contributions to: [email protected]

With your permission, we will share and exhibit the contributions throughout Inter Faith Week, celebrating the different stories, perspectives and experiences that make our communities special.

Let's use creativity to bring people together, discover what connects us and celebrate the beauty of our differences.

Many beliefs. Many perspectives. One shared light.

What does light mean to you?

02/11/2026

This Remembrance Sunday, we come together to honour all those who served, sacrificed and lost their lives in the cause of freedom and peace.

As we remember the British Armed Forces, let us also recognise the often-overlooked contributions of millions of men and women from India, Africa and across the Commonwealth who fought alongside them. Their courage, sacrifice and service helped shape our shared history and must never be forgotten.

Their stories deserve to be remembered. Their contributions deserve to be recognised.

Join us in paying tribute to all who served, regardless of their background or origin, and to reflect on the importance of peace, unity and shared remembrance.

Sunday 8 November 2026, 10.30am – 11.30am
Weston-super-Mare High Street, followed by the Remembrance Service at Grove Park.

Let us stand together in remembrance, gratitude and respect.

One shared history. Many stories of sacrifice. All deserving to be remembered.

Lest We Forget.

01/11/2026

This November, Race Equality North Somerset stands alongside Muslim communities to challenge Islamophobia, confront prejudice and celebrate the invaluable contributions Muslims make to our society.

This year's theme, DON'T LET IT SLIDE, is a powerful call to action. It reminds us that Islamophobia is not only about acts of hatred and discrimination. It is also about the stereotypes we allow to spread, the prejudice we choose to ignore, and the harmful comments and misinformation we leave unchallenged.

Anti-Muslim prejudice thrives on stereotypes, misinformation and division. We must challenge these narratives wherever they appear - in our communities, workplaces, schools, public spaces and online.

But awareness must go beyond words. It means listening to Muslim voices, recognising shared humanity, challenging discrimination and ensuring everyone has the opportunity to participate, contribute and belong.

No one should face hatred, discrimination or fear because of their faith, their name, their appearance or what others assume about them.

Our communities are stronger when everyone is respected. Our society is fairer when nobody is targeted for who they are.

This Islamophobia Awareness Month, let’s challenge prejudice, celebrate our shared humanity and stand together for a North Somerset where everyone feels safe, valued and welcome.

Different backgrounds. Shared dignity. One community.

20/10/2026

Behind every movement for change, every step towards equality, and every stronger community, there are people who dared to lead, challenge injustice and inspire others to believe in a better future.

This Black History Month, we invite you to discover 'Remembering Our Leaders', an opportunity to reflect on the people whose leadership, courage and determination have helped shape our history and continue to inspire generations today.

From those who challenged discrimination and fought for justice to the community champions who worked tirelessly to create opportunities for others, their stories remind us that leadership takes many forms, and that the actions of individuals can make a lasting difference.

Thursday 29th October, 6pm - 8pm
The Other Place, 81-83 Meadow St, BS23 1QL
No booking required. A shared supper will be provided.

Remembering our leaders is about more than looking back. It is about recognising their sacrifices, learning from their experiences and carrying their legacy forward.

Remember their names. Honour their contributions. Carry their legacy forward.

17/10/2026

As National Hate Crime Awareness Week draws to a close, the message must remain clear: hate has no place in our communities - and tackling it is everyone’s responsibility.

The latest figures are deeply concerning. Police recorded 146,825 hate crimes across England and Wales in the year ending March 2026 - a 7% increase. And this is not just a national concern. Somerset is facing the same challenge. Local reporting by the Somerset County Gazette highlights that hate crime has reached its highest recorded level across Somerset, underlining the urgent need for continued action, support and prevention.

Behind every statistic is a human being, a family or a community that may be left feeling frightened, targeted or unwelcome.

These are not just numbers. They are a reminder of why we cannot afford to look away.

At RENS, we believe everyone deserves to live without fear, to be treated with dignity and to feel that they belong.

That means challenging racism and prejudice when we encounter them. It means standing alongside people who experience hate, listening to their voices, supporting those affected and ensuring that institutions take their responsibilities seriously.

It also means recognising that silence, indifference and inaction can leave people feeling isolated and allow prejudice to go unchallenged.

Awareness is a beginning. Solidarity is a choice. Action is our responsibility.

As this week comes to a close, let’s make a commitment that lasts beyond it. Let’s speak up, stand together and help build a North Somerset where everyone feels safe, respected and valued.

No one should have to face hate alone. Together, we can make a difference.

14/10/2026

As National Hate Crime Awareness Week continues, we must remember that standing against hate is not just about what we say, it’s about what we do.

It’s about challenging prejudice when we encounter it. Supporting those who experience hate. Speaking up when others are targeted. Listening to people whose experiences are too often ignored. And creating communities where nobody feels they have to hide who they are to feel safe.

No one should have to live in fear because of their race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity.

At RENS, we believe safer, more inclusive communities are built through everyday acts of courage, compassion and solidarity.

We all have a part to play. We may not always know the perfect words or the right response, but we can choose not to look away. We can choose to listen. We can choose to stand together.

This week, let’s turn awareness into action, and make it clear that hate will never define who we are as a community.

Because everyone deserves to feel safe. Everyone deserves respect. And everyone deserves to belong.

Together, we stand against hate. Together, we build a safe place for all.

10/10/2026

Today marks the start of National Hate Crime Awareness Week (10–17 October), a time to stand in solidarity with everyone affected by hate, prejudice and discrimination.

Hate is not just an attack on an individual. It can leave entire communities feeling unsafe, unwelcome and excluded. No one should have to fear abuse, hostility or discrimination because of who they are, what they believe, or how they live.

We believe that building safer, more inclusive communities is a shared responsibility. It means challenging hate when we encounter it, listening to those affected, supporting victims, and creating spaces where everyone feels seen, respected and that they belong.

Silence can allow hate to grow. Standing together can help change that.

This week, and every week, let’s speak up, show solidarity and turn our commitment to equality into meaningful action.

Everyone deserves to live with dignity, feel safe and belong.

Together, we can build a community where there is no place for hate.

05/10/2026

How can we challenge hate and division without allowing it to divide us further?

Join us at The Other Place for an open and thought-provoking conversation about how we can all stand together against hate, and create safer, more supportive communities for those most affected.

As part of Hate Crime Awareness Week (10–17 October), we’ll explore what it means to challenge harmful actions, when to speak up, and how we can respond together.

A lively discussion
An opportunity to connect and share perspectives
Shared supper provided

Monday 12 October, 6pm–8pm
The Other Place, 81-83 Meadow St, BS23 1QL

Come along, share your voice, listen to others and be part of the conversation.

Standing together starts with all of us.

01/10/2026

Today, 1 October, marks the beginning of Black History Month.

This year’s theme is Honouring Our Communities.

And at RENS, we believe that is where Black history lives.

It lives in the people who open doors for others.

In the parents, grandparents and elders who carry stories, traditions and memories across generations.

In teachers who inspire possibility.

In carers and professionals who show up every day with compassion.

In community leaders, volunteers, organisers, artists, entrepreneurs, faith leaders and neighbours who give their time, energy and care, often without recognition.

It lives in the people who create spaces where others can feel seen, heard and that they belong.

Black history is not only found in the names written into history books.

It is being made every day.

Here in North Somerset.
In our streets and schools.
In our workplaces and places of worship.
In our community organisations.
In our homes.
And in the relationships that bring people together.

This October, we honour those contributions. We listen to the stories. We celebrate the achievements. We acknowledge the struggles. And we recognise the people whose everyday actions continue to shape our communities and our shared future.

But Black History Month cannot - and should not - be the only time we talk about Black history, racism, representation or race equality.

Recognition matters.

But so does action.

If we are serious about building communities where everyone can thrive, then we must continue to challenge racism, remove barriers, create opportunities, listen to lived experience and make sure Black voices are not simply heard, but valued and included in the decisions that affect our communities.

This Black History Month, let's look around us.

Who are the people holding our communities together?
Whose contribution deserves to be recognised?
Whose story have we not heard?
And what can we do to make sure those stories are not forgotten?

At RENS, we will be using this month to celebrate, listen, learn and amplify.

Because Black history is British history.

And community is something we all have a part in shaping.

Happy Black History Month 2026.

https://bhmns.org.uk

28/09/2026

North Somerset Creative People and Places (CPP) is looking a Producer to join our team.

The CPP Producer will work closely with the CPP Director & Programme Lead to deliver an ambitious, inclusive and community-powered Creative People and Places programme for North Somerset.

This is a hands-on producing role for someone who can combine strong project coordination with creative judgement, excellent relationship-building and a practical understanding of how cultural activity works in community settings. The postholder will help ensure that CPP activity is well planned, accessible, inclusive, safely delivered and rooted in the lives, interests and ambitions of people across North Somerset.

This programme is funded by Arts Council England.

To download the recruitment pack and apply, follow this link:

https://www.vansweb.org.uk/vacancies

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us on 01934 416486 or by emailing Luke on [email protected]

We look forward to hearing from you!

Super Culture Race Equality North Somerset Alliance Homes Group BFT City and Weston Arts and Culture

Address

81-83 Meadow Street
Weston-Super-Mare
BS231QL

Website

https://rens.org.uk/

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