A powerful initiative is helping Merseyside’s young people to tackle hate crime from the classroom up - thanks to funding seized from criminals.

To mark Hate Crime Awareness Week, Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner, Emily Spurrell visited Anfield Road Primary School today to see 1st-hand how the ‘Hate Makes me Feel’ project is transforming attitudes, tackling hate crime head-on and building safer, stronger communities.

Delivered by Powerfull Beyond All Measure CIC, the initiative uses interactive activities, storytelling, and discussion to help children as young as seven understand the impact of hate crime, recognise it when it happens, and feel confident reporting it through age-appropriate and emotionally engaging sessions.

The project is 1 of 22 successful recipients of the Police and Crime Commissioner and Merseyside Police’s Community Cashback Fund - an initiative that reinvests money seized from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) back into local communities, to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, strengthen community resilience, and support vulnerable members of the community.

This year’s funding round focused specifically on projects that improve community integration and cohesion, and tackle hate crime, following the violence and disorder seen across the Region last summer.

As well as workshops for the young people, the programme also provides training for school staff, as well as informal sessions for parents, including coffee mornings tailored to those with English as an additional language. These sessions aim to equip adults with the knowledge and confidence to identify and report hate crime, fostering safer school and community environments.

Delivered in partnership with Merseyside Police’s Community Engagement Unit, the initiative has reached nearly 2,000 pupils and 50 trained professionals across schools in Merseyside.

Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner, Emily Spurrell said:- “At a time when division and intolerance are being amplified across society, it’s critical that we take action to stop the spread of hate. Initiatives like ‘Hate Makes Me Feel’ are doing just that—empowering young people to understand the impact of hate crime and giving them the tools to challenge it. By reaching children early, we’re helping to build a generation that values empathy, respect and inclusion, and ultimately creating safer, stronger communities for everyone. It’s more important than ever to show that Merseyside stands united against hate in all its forms, and I’m proud to support grassroots organisations like Powerfull Beyond All Measure CIC who are leading the way in making that vision a reality.”

Detective Chief Inspector Yoseph Al-Ramadhan, Merseyside Police said:- “We’re proud to have partnered with Powerfull Beyond All Measure CIC to deliver these educational training sessions that help young people understand the impact of hate crime on individuals and communities. Education is 1 of the most powerful tools in preventing hate and promoting inclusion, and through this initiative, we aim to empower the next generation to recognise, challenge, and stand up against all forms of hatred and prejudice. Collaborating with our partners in this way strengthens our collective commitment to ensuring that everyone in Merseyside feels safe, valued, and respected.”

Danielle Azanuwha, Director Powerfull Beyond All Measure CIC said:- “Our partnership with Merseyside Police began 4 years ago with a shared goal—to engage migrant communities in North Liverpool and address the underreporting of hate crime. We recognised that many individuals, especially those whose English is a second language, didn’t feel confident or safe enough to report incidents. Through community hubs, awareness sessions, and trusted relationships, we’ve worked to break down those barriers and build trust between the police and the communities they serve. In 2022, following a spike in hate crime among our service users, we realised we needed to act preventatively. That’s how ‘Hate Makes Me Feel’ was born. The response to these sessions so far has been incredible. This work is vital—not just to educate and empower—but to ensure every child and adult feels safe, supported, and part of a community that stands firmly against hate.”