What We Do
We believe in a Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire free from hate.
Uniting Staffordshire Against Hate (USAH) is a dedicated specialist support service, commissioned by the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, for individuals and communities affected by hate crime in Stoke on Trent and Staffordshire. We provide emotional support, practical assistance, and information, advice and guidance to help victims cope and recover after a hate crime or incident. We also work to raise awareness about hate crime and how to report it.
Hate crime can affect anyone, but no one should face it alone. Whether targeted due to your race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, transgender identity, or another characteristic, we are here to support you.
What is a hate crime and hate incident?
A hate crime is any criminal offence which is perceived by the victim, or any other person, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice based on a person’s race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or transgender identity, or a person’s perceived race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or transgender identity.
A hate incident is a non-criminal act which the victim, or anyone else, thinks is based on someone’s prejudice towards them because of their race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or transgender identify.
Hate crimes and incidents may include physical assaults, verbal abuse, online abuse, criminal damage, exploitation, graffiti, bullying and harassment.
Getting help
How we will support you
If you’ve experienced or witnessed a hate crime or hate incident, we’re here to help. Our support includes:
- Information, advice and guidance on how to manage the impacts of the crime or incident.
- Emotional & practical support to help you to cope, recover and move forward after a crime or incident.
- Support to report incidents or crimes to the police if you wish to do so.
- Support to understand and access your rights under the Victims Code.
- Advocating and liaising with the police and other key agencies and services on your behalf.
- Support with understanding and navigating the legal system and attending court.
To access support, you do not need to have reported the crime or incident to the police.
We accept self-referrals and referrals from professionals. If you’d like support, or to refer someone for support, please contact us.
What happens when you contact us?
When you contact us, a member of our team will listen and talk with you about your experience, so we can understand how it has affected you and what help you may need.
We will assess your support needs and provide you with advice or information to answer any immediate questions you may have.
We can also allocate you with your own Victim Care Coordinator if needed, who will provide you with practical and emotional support through this difficult time.
Want to learn more
Our Awareness Raising Work
We offer free hate crime awareness training sessions across Stoke on Trent and Staffordshire.
Our free awareness sessions are available to:
- Professionals
- Communities
- Education Settings
Our training covers the definition of hate crime, the prevalence of hate crime, the impacts of hate crime, barriers to reporting, needs of hate crime victims, how to support victims and information about the specialist support we offer at Uniting Staffordshire Against Hate.
We offer training both online and in person.
We also attend community groups and events across Stoke on Trent and Staffordshire to raise awareness of hate crime and the support available to those impacted.
How to book:
For more information about our community engagement and training activities or to book a session for your group or organisation, please contact us.
We also offer regular online sessions through Eventbrite. Places on these sessions can be booked using the button below.
Hate. Let’s put a stop to it.
Hate has no place in our communities. If you or someone you know has been affected, reach out today.
Together, we can create a safer, more inclusive Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.
How can we help you?
You don’t have to suffer in silence. Hate. let’s put a stop to it
Contact us
If you need information, advice or support from the Uniting Staffordshire Against Hate, you can email us at help@usah.org.uk or call us on 0330 0881 339 (calls charged at local rate)
Our phone lines are open Monday to Friday 9am-5pm (excluding Bank Holidays). Outside of these hours we have an answer phone facility. If you need to contact us outside of our opening hours, please leave a message and we will call you back.
"Since using your service, I have felt so much better in myself … I didn’t know where else to go, now my issue is totally resolved. It’s like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders.”
Service User
The guy I spoke to was called Chris he was very thorough and listened to my problems with empathy, he gave me some information immediately but said he would check out some further advice and call me back, he rang me back within the hour and took the time to convey the information and explained things very well.
Thank you.
Telephone User
"I am very happy with the outcome I have managed to get from the trader and wanted to thank all involved."
Consumer User
"It's really wonderful you have someone to turn to, as I wouldn't pursue things without Citizens Advice help. Everything is difficult to do these days (forms/paperwork, especially). It is great to be seen by a friendly face and receive the help and information I need."
Service User
"I found the whole process of seeking advice to be simple and stress-free. The staff were pleasant and informative."