Category: News

WE ARE RECRUITING

Posted on | by Emmanuel Agbozo

Admin Assistant

We are currently recruiting for an Admin Assistant based in Liverpool City Centre. We are looking for somebody who is able to assist with the office administration tasks to support the growth and development of the Foundation.

ABOUT THE ANTHONY WALKER FOUNDATION

The AWF is the leading anti-racism charity in the Northwest, and we have spent over 17 years developing a thoughtful and comprehensive approach to tackling Racism in our communities. We work to tackle racism, hate crime and discrimination by providing educational opportunities, victim support services and by promoting equity and inclusion for all.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Screening calls and taking detailed, accurate messages where necessary
  • Weekly stationery inventories to ensure all stock is up to date
  • Managing and distributing all incoming and outgoing post and couriers
  • Photocopying, faxing, binding and filing all company documents
  • Booking meeting rooms and organising refreshments
  • Helping company employees with email correspondence
  • Updating the charity database.
  • Providing support to the hate crime team during busy periods
  • Office cover during staff holidays
  • Assisting the office manager with regular health and safety checks
  • Ad-hoc duties, including assisting with events

The above list of job duties is not exclusive or exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • Admin Assistant
  • National Minimum Wage
  • Fixed-Term Contract
  • Flexible Hours

KEY SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES

  • Have an understanding of the Anthony Walker Foundation, who we are and what we do
  • Have a general understanding of equity, diversity, and inclusion
  • Confident with all Microsoft Office packages
  • Polite telephone manner
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Extremely organised
  • Able to prioritise a changing to-do list
  • Excellent attention to detail
  • Uses own initiative
  • Comfortable working both individually and as part of a team
  • Agree with the values of the Foundation

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for this role, please email a copy of your CV and a cover letter to info@anthonywalkerfoundation.com.

In your cover letter, please detail your key attributes and what makes you suitable for the role with examples of practical experience. In addition, please describe how your experience matches the position’s primary duties.

The application deadline is Friday, 17th March, with interviews likely to take place on the week commencing Monday, 20th March 2023.

The Anthony Walker Foundation is an equal opportunities employer and would welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We would encourage those from Black and ethnic minority communities to apply.

Support After Hate

Posted on | by Emmanuel Agbozo | Leave a Comment on Support After Hate

AWF Mental Health Services

Proven studies show a direct correlation between a victim being targeted because of their race and religion, and the adverse effects racism has on their mental health

Thanks to the support of the OPCC and partners, the Anthony Walker Foundation is able to work with local charities and community groups to offer the following:

•Free counselling sessions 

•Free therapeutic mind and well-being sessions

•Free community-based dance and fitness sessions

For more information, please email us support@anthonywalkerfoundation.org.uk or call us on  0151 237 3974

AWF Chief Operating Officer John Williams Awarded QPM Birthday Honours

Posted on | by Jake Ward | Leave a Comment on AWF Chief Operating Officer John Williams Awarded QPM Birthday Honours

Following on from the announcement by Chief Constable Serena Williams that a former officer, John Williams has been awarded the Queen’s Policing Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours, all at the Anthony Walker Foundation want to say how proud we are to have John in the team as our Chief Operating Officer and Hate Crime Lead.

It is clear to all that John was an exemplary officer and has now brought his experience, skills, commitment, and dedication to the foundation, not to mention his humour, stories, and sheer tenacity as he works with the family, and all colleagues to create a legacy for Anthony. We are lucky to have him.

At the time of his retirement, John had attained the rank of Chief Inspector, becoming Merseyside Police first ever Black Detective Chief Inspector.

John was born in London in 1969 to Jamaican parents who had answered the call to come and help to rebuild Britain after the second World War. He and his parents emigrated back to Jamaica in 1972, due to racism.

John initially joined the AWF to lead our Hate Crime Service that we deliver on behalf of the OPCC, which he has skillfully restructured creating the time and space for him to apply his skills across the Foundation.

As john has said “I hope to use my new role-in the AWF- to work with and challenge those I have left in Merseyside Police, as well as forging a close working relationship with people from underrepresented communities. I count myself as blessed to be working alongside Gee Walker, her family, the wider board, and colleagues at the foundation.”

Dominique Walker, Chair of the AWF
John Denny, Interim CEO for the AWF

https://www.merseyside.police.uk/news/merseyside/news/2022/june/former-detective-awarded-queens-policing-medal-in-birthday-honours/?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=Orlo

Anthony Walker Foundation Launches ‘Speak Out! Stop Hate.’ Campaign

Posted on | by Jake Ward | Leave a Comment on Anthony Walker Foundation Launches ‘Speak Out! Stop Hate.’ Campaign

The Anthony Walker Foundation is set to launch a new hate crime reporting tool as part of its ‘Speak Out! Stop Hate.’ campaign, in response to the worrying number of instances of hate crime that go unreported nationally.

According to official government statistics, in the year ending March 2020, there were 105,090 hate crimes recorded by the police in England and Wales, an increase of eight per cent compared with year ending March 2019 (97,446 offences).

In addition, in 2020, the Anthony Walker Foundation saw a 126% increase in people accessing support compared to the previous year, across Merseyside. This campaign and reporting tool, funded through the Race and Faith Grant scheme run by the Ministry for Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), have been designed to encourage people to report hate crime and provide an easy and accessible way for people to provide reports safely and anonymously. The tool will allow the Anthony Walker Foundation to gain insight into real-time reports, which will inform and support intervention to combat hate crime.

The launch of the campaign and reporting tool on Monday 22nd February, comes a day after Anthony’s birthday, and marks 15 years after he was tragically murdered in a racially motivated attack.

Dominique Walker, vice chair at the Anthony Walker Foundation, said:

“Whether because of confusion around what constitutes a hate crime, a lack of awareness, or simply not knowing where to go, the amount of hate crimes going unreported is incredibly worrying and, without this insight, it is much harder for us to tackle the issue head-on.

“This campaign provides much needed fresh impetus for everyone to feel empowered to step up and oppose hate crime in any way we can. Whether it’s reporting offences, responding effectively to those experiencing hate crime, or putting measures and resources in place to prevent hate crime, we can all collectively contribute to making our communities safer for all.”

Communities Minister Lord Greenhalgh, said:

“This Government is working hard to cut crime, recruiting 20,000 new police officers and providing funding to local communities to help make their streets safer. Our Faith, Race and Hate Crime Grant Scheme is supporting organisations like the Anthony Walker Foundation and stamp out prejudice and discrimination.

“Everyone should feel safe in the public realm, and we are delighted to support this ambitious pilot programme to encourage people in Liverpool to report hate crime in a safe and accessible way. This programme will give real insight to support our work to combat crime and I look forward to seeing the results.”

Speak Out! Stop Hate. has been created in partnership with social enterprise, Agent Academy and will also include the delivery of a host of education and training opportunities, to raise awareness and increase confidence when tackling hate crime across the Liverpool City Region.

Zoe Wallace, director at Agent Academy, said:

“Encouraging and supporting young people to tackle the issues that are most important to them, is at the heart of Agent Academy, which is why we’re so proud that this campaign is powered by young people, who are passionate about leading a movement for change. It’s more important than ever before that we urgently challenge hate and discrimination not just across Liverpool City Region, but nationally. Positive, long-lasting change only ever happens when people are galvanised to make a difference. That’s exactly what this project will do.”

As part of the launch week, the Anthony Walker Foundation is hosting a series of events including a launch event webinar on Monday 22nd February, featuring an expert panel, a ‘Train the Trainer’ taster webinar aimed at professionals on Wednesday 24th February, as well as a question-and-answer session across the Foundation’s social media accounts on Thursday 25th February.

Five Ways To Support The Foundation

Posted on | by Jake Ward | Leave a Comment on Five Ways To Support The Foundation

Like all charities AWF need support from the public to help achieve our goals and support people most in need. Support can come in many forms and doesn’t have to be financial, although donations  of money are a big help. Here’s five ways you can support us in tackling racism and supporting victims of hate crime.

JUSTGIVING

Can make one-off or monthly donations to the Foundation through our JustGiving page which can be found at:

www.justgiving.com/anthonywalkerfoundation

TEXT GIVING

You can also give through our Text-To-Donate service in just a few simple steps.

To make a One-Off donation:

Text AWF2 to 70085 to donate £2 

Text AWF5 to 70085 to donate £5 

Text AWF10 to 70085 to donate £10 

To make a Monthly donation:

Text AWFMONTHLY2 to 70085 to donate £2 per month

Text AWFMONTHLY5 to 70085 to donate £5 per month

Text AWFMONTHLY10 to 70085 to donate £10 per month

Texts cost your standard network rate plus your donation amount. If you set up monthly donations, you cancel or pause donations at any time.

AMAZON SMILE

Online shopping GIANT, Amazon, have launched a new service to help charities benefit from purchases made through their site. AmazonSmile allows consumers to donate a % of money from their purchases to their selected charity when they shop through the AmazonSmile site.

To sign up to AmazonSmile: https://smile.amazon.co.uk/ch/1117769-0

SOCIAL MEDIA

It’s not all about the money! A BIG way to support us is to ensure you’re following us on social media, engaging with our posts and helping us to share our message to a wider audience. Hop on to our Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn to see what we’ve been up to and give us a like, comment and/or share.

Twitter – @AWF_Liverpool

Instagram – @AnthonyWalkerFoundation

Facebook – Anthony Walker Foundation

VOLUNTEERING

Volunteers are invaluable to small charities like us and they really come through and help when we’re most in need. We have a few volunteers that work with us either in our service delivery, fundraising or operations teams. If you want to volunteer for us, the best thing to do is drop us an email with your CV, a bit about yourself and how you think you might be able to help. Email: info@anthonywalkerfoundation.com

Employers and organisations can also find more information by visiting our Corporate Partnerships page

ANTHONY – THE LIFE HE WOULD HAVE LIVED: NEW BBC DRAMA ABOUT THE LIFE OF ANTHONY WALKER

Posted on | by Jake Ward | Leave a Comment on ANTHONY – THE LIFE HE WOULD HAVE LIVED: NEW BBC DRAMA ABOUT THE LIFE OF ANTHONY WALKER

BBC One and LA Productions with the blessing of Gee Walker have produced a gripping drama about the life of Anthony Walker and the life he would have lived.

Inspired by conversations with Gee Walker, Anthony’s mother and founder of the Anthony Walker Foundation, about the boy Anthony was and the man he was to become, Anthony is written by multi-Bafta winner Jimmy McGovern (Broken, The Street, Cracker) and made by LA Productions for BBC One.

Anthony Walker will be played by Toheeb Jimoh (The Power, Ted Lasso) and Rakie Ayola (Shetland, Noughts + Crosses) will portray Gee Walker.

They will appear alongside Julia Brown (World On Fire), Bobby Schofield (Knightfall), Stephanie Hyam (Bodyguard), Shaniqua Okwok (Small Axe), Robinah Kironde (The Widow), Dominique Moore (A Confession), Phina Oruche (Taken Down), Siobhan McSweeney (Derry Girls), Ade Ajibade (Intergalactic), Wesley Bozonga (Sliced), Leo Wringer (Black Earth Rising), Lorna Gayle (Carmilla), Jay Lycurgo (I May Destroy You), Josh Bolt (Last Tango In Halifax) and James Ledsham (Levelling The Score) who all play key roles in the film.

The drama will air the same week as the 15th anniversary of the murder of Anthony who was killed in a racially motivated attack in Huyton, Merseyside, 2005.

Gee Walker, Anthony Walker’s mother, says:

“I went to Jimmy because I couldn’t think of anyone more suited who could depict, highlight and draw attention to the hard messages of a life not lived – Anthony’s unfilled dreams, his potentials and the many lives he would have impacted on – which now will never be realised.”

Jimmy McGovern adds:

“I’d known Gee Walker for many years and every time I had needed to write about loss or grief I had gone to her and she had always been generous with her time and her profound wisdom. But one day SHE came to ME and asked me to write about her beloved Anthony. I said, “Gee, if you’re asking such a thing, I feel I have a God-given duty to do it.” And so I did it.”

Toheeb Jimoh, who plays Anthony Walker, says:

“Anthony’s story is a painfully tragic one but it’s also full of hope, joy, promise and love. Jimmy’s script captures that perfectly. I hope this film will serve as a tribute to Anthony and I feel truly honoured to have been asked to play him.”

Rakie Ayola, who plays Gee Walker, says:

“I’m so grateful we’ve been able to shine a light on Anthony Walker’s story with the blessing and generosity of his mother Gee Walker.”

Colin McKeown, executive producer for LA Productions says:

“Both Donna [Molloy] and I were privileged to have produced Anthony. It follows a rich vein of factual drama that LA Productions has been delivering for almost a decade now. It means a lot to me personally as I am from the same village as the Walker family and it is typical of Gee to draw positive conclusions from tragic events.”

Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama, says:

“When commissioning drama linked to real life, we consider carefully the individual lives at the heart of the drama but also the wider societal story it might tell. Anthony is a case in point. A unique blend of fiction and reality, steered by Jimmy McGovern’s conversations with Anthony’s mother Gee Walker, it is the story of a young man who tragically lost his life but also of a life he might have led. We are honoured to be telling it on BBC One.”

Anthony was filmed in and around Liverpool, and will air on BBC One. This is the sixth collaboration between LA Productions, Jimmy McGovern and BBC One, following award winning success with Care, Broken, Reg, Common, and ten series of BBC Daytime’s Moving On.

Anthony will air on BBC One and iPlayer, 27th July 2020 at 8:30PM

For more information about the Anthony Walker Foundation please see our About Us page.

GEE WALKER SPEAKS ON THE DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD AND BLACK LIVES MATTER PROTESTS

Posted on | by Jake Ward | Leave a Comment on GEE WALKER SPEAKS ON THE DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD AND BLACK LIVES MATTER PROTESTS

Founder and patron of the Anthony Walker Foundation, Gee Walker, speaks out about the death of George Floyd and the subsequent Black Lives Matter protests which have shook the world.

Gee said:

“Once again social media has exposed what we have been experiencing in the darkness. To the few it’s their first experience of racism being magnified, but for us it’s every day.

After watching the killing of George Floyd we are not shocked but reliving, weeping & recoiling in painful agony for those whom we have lost.

We are mourning the lives ruined and stand shoulder to shoulder with those who are continually living with racism & hate on a daily basis.

AWF pleads for peace & unity. Violence isn’t the way forward and too many of the innocent and the vulnerable will be harmed and killed.

Violence will only further separation and division resulting in the tearing apart of families and communities.

Heartfelt condolences to George Floyd’s family and friends. Stay safe!”

The Anthony Walker Foundation was set up after the racially motivated murder of Anthony in 2005. The Foundation works in communities to tackle racism, support victims of hate crime and help build safer, stronger, more thriving places to live.