Three local people are to take starring roles in a new drive to stamp out hate crime against people with disabilities.

They will take to the stage to put the spotlight on Witney-based national charity Advance’s new Safety First interactive training course, as part of a June 22 event for Mencap’s Stand By Me campaign, which forms the focus of Learning Disability Week.

Advance, which helps people with learning disabilities or mental health issues to live the lives they want in the community, has launched Safety First as a tool to empower vulnerable people and their supporters.

As many as nine out of ten people with a learning disability are harassed or exposed to violence due to their disability according to Mencap, whose campaign calls for police and the courts to do more to tackle hate crime.
“There are some horrific stories and statistics and we know those are just the tip of the iceberg,” says Advance’s Martin Hampshire, who is heading up Safety First with Kathy Westall.

“There are also a lot of people who don't even realise they are being abused. Others don't know how to report it and those who do report it are sometimes not taken seriously. We fully support the Mencap campaign and agree that everyone has the right to live free from fear."”

Safety First has sprung from Advance’s three year Lottery funded project Coast2Coast, which trained and supported 1,700 individuals, adult protection workers and staff from local authorities.

“It is a tried and tested training tool that we know is effective and we know there is a nationwide need for it,” adds Martin, who says the personalised training will be offered to all vulnerable people, including children, disabled people and the elderly, and their supporting organisations.

Safety First covers a whole range of issues, from keeping safe in the home, to dealing with nuisance phone calls and tackling hate crime.

It uses role play scenarios as a teaching aid and Witney residents Theresa Brind, Anthony O’Dell, and Paul Ward - who all have learning disabilities and are supported by Advance - are busy rehearsing for two “watch and learn” mini plays at the free June 22 Stand By Me event from 10am to 12pm at Oxford’s West Oxfordshire Community Centre in Botley Road.

None of the talented trio has experienced hate crime themselves, but all three veteran performers are eager to act their hearts out because they are so passionate about the project.

“I enjoy acting but I feel this is one of my most important roles because it will help other people like me,” says Theresa, 53, who will star in one of the playlets as a woman whose handbag is snatched in a park.

“People need to learn that they can be safe where ever they are, and how ever vulnerable they are. It’s exhilarating to be part of something that’s so important, and to pass on what I have learnt,” adds Anthony, 29, who would love to be a professional actor.

Paul, 43, who first started acting back in 1989, says: “This is a great way to teach people how to be safe and everyone should have the opportunity to learn how. I’m really enjoying being part of it.”

To book a place at the June 22 event, please call Nicki Hughes at Advance on 01993 866443.
* Our picture shows Paul Ward, Kathy Westall, Theresa Brind, Anthony O’Dell and Martin Hampshire.