On the Subject of Safety
Over the past eight months, Queer Croydon has been participating in Design. Build. Act. – a community programme delivered by Protection Approaches that supports grassroots organisations to strengthen their understanding of hate crime, community safety and victim support.
The programme brought together community organisations from across London to explore how local groups can respond to prejudice, build resilience, support those affected by hate incidents and create safer, more connected communities. Through a combination of specialist training, collaborative design workshops, peer learning and ongoing mentoring, participants were encouraged to examine the challenges facing their communities and develop practical responses rooted in local experience.
As part of the programme, members of the Queer Croydon team undertook training focused on identity-based violence, hate crime awareness, community-based prevention approaches and supporting individuals who may have experienced targeted hostility. We also participated in a Design Lab alongside other community organisations, providing an opportunity to share experiences, identify emerging needs and explore how grassroots groups can play a meaningful role in creating safer environments for those they serve.
The programme encouraged us to think not only about responding to incidents when they occur, but about prevention, education, partnership building and community confidence. It challenged us to ask important questions: What does safety actually feel like? Who feels safe in public spaces, and who does not? How can local organisations help people access support when they need it? And how do we build communities that are proactive rather than reactive?
Those conversations feel particularly relevant now.
Recent months have seen increasing concern within many parts of the LGBTQ+ community around public safety, belonging and access to services. Through our own work – from community check-ins and counselling support to LGBT+ swimming sessions and Trans Youth Support & Mentoring — we regularly hear from people navigating these challenges in their daily lives.
It is from this learning, reflection and community experience that On the Subject of Safety has emerged.
Rather than a traditional presentation, this free online workshop has been designed as a community conversation. We want to create an environment where people can listen, learn, ask questions and contribute their own experiences. Together, we will explore what safety means for LGBTQ+ people, discuss experiences of belonging and exclusion, learn more about hate crime and reporting pathways, and consider practical ways communities can support one another.
We also hope the discussion will help shape Queer Croydon’s future work around community safety, partnership building, education and support. This is an opportunity not only to learn from the Design. Build. Act. programme, but to help co-design what comes next.
Event Details
Date: Tuesday 30 June 2026
Time: 6:00pm–8:00pm
Location: Online
Cost: Free
What to Expect
- Community-centred discussions about safety, belonging and inclusion
- Information on hate crime, hate incidents and reporting pathways
- Opportunities to share experiences and perspectives in a supportive environment
- Conversations about practical actions that can strengthen community safety
- A chance to help inform and shape Queer Croydon’s future work in this area
Registration
This event is free to attend, however advance registration is required.
Once registered, attendees will receive joining information ahead of the session.
Ultimately, this workshop is about taking the learning from Design. Build. Act. and bringing it back into the community that inspired it.
Because safer communities are not built by organisations alone. They are built collectively — through conversation, understanding, action and solidarity.
Delivered by Queer Croydon in collaboration with Protection Approaches.
