Strengthening Our Voice: Joining the VCSE Hate Crime Reporting Board
- LonGBoaT Wakefield
- Feb 3
- 3 min read
We’re pleased to share that Chris (Vice Chair) and David (Chair) of LonGBoaT Wakefield have joined the VCSE Hate Crime Reporting Board for 2026. This forms part of the wider VCSE Voices Network, coordinated locally by NOVA Wakefield District, which brings together Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations from across the district.
By taking up these roles, we’re ensuring that LGBT+ perspectives are represented at a strategic level in conversations about hate crime reporting, safeguarding and overall community safety.
What is the VCSE Voices Network?
The VCSE Voices Network is made up of a cross-section of VCSE organisations and their representatives, known as advocates. These advocates sit on thematic boards across the district, with board chairs feeding into the wider VCSE Collaborative. This structure ensures both top-down and bottom-up perspectives are considered in local decision-making.
Chris and David will specifically sit on the Hate Crime Reporting Board, helping to shape how hate crime is understood, reported and addressed locally something that remains critically important for LGBT+ communities.
First Meeting Update
Last week, Chris attended his first VCSE Voices meeting at St Mary’s Community Centre, Pontefract. Below is a summary of the key discussions and developments.
Understanding the VCSE Landscape
Keeping service information up to date, particularly where projects are short-term or grant-funded.
Creating clear explanations of organisational structures (e.g. CIO, CIC and other governance models) to help improve strategic planning and shared understanding.
Whether this mapping could link into WYCA funded website projects.
Upcoming VCSE Gala – 3 March 2026
The VCSE Gala will take place on 3 March 2026, aiming to connect stakeholders with VCSE services across the district.
Neighbourhood Health Developments
Updates included discussion with Katty Kehan regarding National Neighbourhood Health priorities. Information was also shared from the Wakefield District Healthcare Partnership about plans to bring community health services back into neighbourhood settings.
Education & SEND
Chris Bingham led discussion on the Schools White Paper and SEND provision. Concerns were raised that while safeguarding frameworks are often well developed, SEND needs can still be overlooked. Given the intersection between SEND and LGBT+ young people who can face additional vulnerability this is an area we will continue to monitor closely.
NOVA Collaborative Update
Steven Busfield provided updates on the wider NOVA collaborative.
Why This Matters for LGBT+ Communities
Hate crime disproportionately affects LGBT+ people. Whether verbal abuse, harassment or physical assault, the impact extends beyond the individual it affects confidence, wellbeing and feelings of safety in public spaces.
By sitting on the Hate Crime Reporting Board, LonGBoaT Wakefield is ensuring:
LGBT+ lived experience informs local strategy
Reporting mechanisms are accessible and trusted
Community voices are embedded in decision making
Representation at this level helps make sure policies are not just written about communities, but shaped with them.
We are proud to be a registered Hate Crime Reporting Centre for Wakefield.
If you experience or witness hate crime including incidents motivated by sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, race or religion you can report it through us in a supportive and confidential environment.
Moving Forward
Joining the VCSE Hate Crime Reporting Board marks an important step in strengthening our role within the district’s strategic networks. It allows us to advocate not just at community level, but within the systems that shape funding, health access, education and safety. We will continue to share updates as this work progresses throughout 2026.
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