Many of us are currently waking up to the recent spate of riots and national unrest, following the loss of three young girls, who were fatally stabbed in Southport on the 29th of July. We have seen the community of Southport coming together, holding vigils to remember the young girls and the other children and adults who were attacked in the incident.

Sadly, we have also seen in the last week, rioters using this occasion to stoke up national unrest and unacceptable acts of hate and violence, targeting migrants, immigrants, ethnic minorities and Muslim communities in particular, with anyone else, who might be perceived as belonging to these groups. We know that the impact of these acts of xenophobia, islamophobia and racism, are indiscriminate, and many communities are being affected.

You are likely to have Muslim or colleagues from ethnic minorities, friends and relatives who will be experiencing strong emotions about the current state of affairs, or who will be feeling anxious, or frightened. You may have colleagues from any background working or living in communities where riots are taking place, feeling worried about their safety. How can you best support them at this difficult time?

The most important thing to remember – whether for this conflict or any others – is that it’s better to say something than to ignore the situation. Don’t worry about getting it wrong; showing people you care and that you’re there is what matters.

• Acknowledge what is going on and avoid not stating some of the issues at play. For example, we know that the rioters are targeting migrants, immigrants, ethnic minorities and Muslim communities in particular, with anyone else, who might be read as belonging to these groups. You could perhaps mention it in your weekly newsletter or in your next meeting. You don’t have to offer any opinions – and you probably shouldn’t – but just say you’re aware that it’s happening and that it could be impacting on colleagues. Remind them that you’re there if anyone wants to talk.

• We have seen scenes of people being attacked, neighbours’ buildings and businesses being swept into the roads of chaos. You could write specific colleagues who you know have friends or family who have been caught up in the events. You could send an email or a text message that says something like, “I just wanted you to know I’m thinking of you at what might be a challenging time for you. You don’t need to reply, but I’m here if you need anything.

• Similarly, you can say something along those lines in a face-to-face conversation but be careful not to pressure them into talking about it, if they’re not up to it. Avoid any nosy questions, as you don’t need to know if someone has relatives in the areas being affected.

• If people come to you to say they are struggling, consider whether you can reduce their workload or give them a personal day or two off.

• Ensure you know what your workplace’s mental health policies are like and if there are any helplines, like your company’s Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) or healthcare professionals that your colleagues can contact if necessary.

• Utilise staff networks/employee resource groups (ERGs) – can a safe space meeting be held for anyone effected or needing others to share their feelings with? Can you find ways to hold space for your colleagues in a compassionate way? Sometimes coming together to check in with your colleagues and speak about the best way of supporting your teams, with and amongst others can be healing and cathartic.

• Consider whether your workplace can make a charitable donation to an organisation that is actively working towards tackling hate, islamophobia or racism. It can help people to know that a small, proactive step is being taken.

• Make no assumptions about political views, and keep politics out of it, especially not while in the workplace. You don’t want to sow any discord among colleagues. Make work a friendly, safe space. Set up guidelines for conversation, if you feel that would be helpful.

• Take care of yourself too. Even if you’re not from one of the communities or areas being currently effected, it can still be painful to keep up with the news. It’s okay, and often necessary, to take a break from reading or watching the latest updates.

• If you are asked to facilitate a conversation on the topic and you don’t feel able to, it’s okay to say no.

• Remind everyone that a little kindness goes a long way; the world is hard, and your workplace doesn’t need to make it any harder.

Our final word is to remind your teams that whilst the current state of affairs may seem depressing and frightening at times, that the situation will eventually pass. We must not forget the positive acts of seeing communities coming together, with people from all backgrounds, races, faiths and religions, helping and supporting each other so that the community spirit and love, prevails over hate and division. – It is also important to not lose sight of remembering the three young girls who lost their lives and to commemorate them.

We need to keep working, and sometimes may even find it helpful to keep our heads busy. At the same time, remember that we are humans with feelings, so it is important to show awareness of what’s going on, and how it might be affecting your people.

The Team at PILAA