Electric Umbrella Brings Powerful Message to Oaklands for Hate Crime Awareness Week

Oaklands College welcomed Electric Umbrella to its St Albans Campus for a lunchtime flash mob during Hate Crime Awareness Week, bringing students and staff together to share an important message about inclusion and standing against prejudice.

The performance supported Electric Umbrella’s It’s Not a Crime to Be Different campaign, delivered in partnership with Hertfordshire Constabulary to raise awareness of hate crimes and incidents and encourage people to challenge discrimination.

Through music and performance, the flash mob brought the campaign’s message to life, highlighting the importance of creating a community where everyone feels safe, accepted and valued.

Andrew Slade, Principal and CEO of Oaklands College, said: “Electric Umbrella always bring such joy and energy to their performances, but today’s flash mob carried an especially powerful message. We are proud to support the It’s Not a Crime to Be Different campaign and to stand alongside our students, staff, alumni and partners in saying that prejudice has no place in our community. Our partnership with Electric Umbrella is rooted in a shared belief that everyone should be seen, heard and valued and the performance this week was an incredible way of showing just that.”

Oaklands College has a longstanding partnership with Electric Umbrella through its LIFE provision, with the organisation making a positive difference to students and alumni. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to inclusion, accessibility and creating opportunities for everyone to participate and thrive.

Andrew Slade has also recently joined Electric Umbrella as a trustee, strengthening the College’s ongoing commitment to supporting the organisation and its work to create a more inclusive society.

Oaklands College is proud to stand alongside Electric Umbrella and Hertfordshire Constabulary in supporting a message that extends far beyond Hate Crime Awareness Week.