Engaging Youth, Empowering Communities, and Building Partnerships

In January, Stand Up! visited 10 schools across London, engaging 2,000 students in crucial conversations about discrimination. Our sessions reached students from mainstream schools, faith schools, and alternative learning provisions.

We were also invited to Stamford Bridge and the Emirates Stadium, where we worked with students from Chelsea and Arsenal FC’s community programmes. These longstanding educational initiatives by both football clubs have allowed Stand Up! to contribute to their community work for several years.

In addition to our schoolwork, the team delivered several adult training sessions for the national mental health charity Mind, and for educators from the Chelsea Foundation. Zaynab and Karl hosted interactive online workshops and a session at Mind’s headquarters for 60 staff members, including the senior leadership team. Mohammed and Karl also delivered a session at Chelsea’s stadium for 30 staff members involved in the foundation’s school projects.

January was also a month of professional development for Stand Up! staff. Nathan, Maccabi GB’s Chief Operating Officer, led a training session for staff involved in the Alan Senitt Upstanders Leadership Programme. This session focused on classroom and behaviour management, informal education methodologies and learning about energy levels within the education sector.  Project coordinator Karl also met with Faith Minister Lord Khan as part of the Faiths Forum for London’s Democratic Engagement Series. They discussed media literacy training for young people and the response to the rise in hate targeting Jewish and Muslim communities.

Finally, Stand Up! and Streetwise teamed up for the second seminar of the Alan Senitt Upstanders Leadership Programme, bringing together 100 students from 10 London schools. This seminar focused on team skills and learning from the diversity within the group. Students also shared updates on their social action projects, including JFS’ cross-cultural food exchange to combat antisemitism and Hendon School’s educational workshops to challenge stereotypes—both initiatives embodying Stand Up!’s values and mission.