Standing together in the wake of tragedy

We are deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic deaths of Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Alice Dasilva Aguir, along with the many others injured in Southport. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families affected by this heartbreaking event.

In recent weeks, we have witnessed a disturbing rise in racist and extremist demonstrations and attacks targeting Black and Asian individuals, their communities, homes, businesses, and places of worship. While these events have brought communities together in grief and mutual support, they have also created a heightened climate of stress, anxiety and fear. In response, we at EMCC UK want to reassure you of our unwavering support and solidarity with ethnic minority communities, cultural heritage groups, faith-based organisations, and civic authorities impacted by these attacks.

As coaches, mentors and supervisors, we play a critical role in offering guidance and support, particularly to those who feel especially vulnerable during this time. It is essential that we adapt our practices to address the increased stress and fear that clients from ethnic minority, faith, and cultural heritage communities may be experiencing. This is especially important for our coaching, mentoring and supervision colleagues from these communities, who may feel the weight of these events even more acutely. We are committed to ensuring they receive the support needed to continue their vital work effectively.

To support our membership, we will be hosting two key events:

Member drop-in session – Thursday 22 August, 12-2pm. Recognising that while the extreme violence has subsided, emotions remain raw, and many are still stricken with grief and disbelief over the loss of three innocent lives. We are arranging a dedicated space for our members to unite, share their emotions, and access community support.

Structured support session – Thursday 12 September, 12-1.30pm. This session will allow members to come together, listen, show support, provide guidance, and explore ways to improve their practices in these challenging times. This session will provide a space to:

• Ask questions: seek clarity and guidance on how to navigate these difficult circumstances
• Decompress: reflect on and manage the emotional impact of recent events
• Take stock: assess the current situation and its implications for our work and communities
• Share: exchange experiences and insights with fellow members
• Learn: gain valuable strategies to enhance our collective support efforts
• Support one another: strengthen our resilience and unity as a community

This event will be open to all members as we come together to face these challenges with empathy, understanding, and a shared commitment to supporting one another.

For EMCC UK members who would like to join the events detailed above – we will be sending all members an email with further details.

Photo by fauxels