As a young teenager with a mother dying of cancer, I was impressed with people who I thought cared. I was wrong.
Members of the group drove my mum to hospital, they offered me help and supported me whenever I needed it. They became part of my family and it gave me a sense of security. I thought that they were good people and very quickly I was sucked into their world.
But I was too young to understand what I was getting myself into. I wasted my youth, leafletting, recruiting, attacking left-wing marches and joining organisations such as the National Front, British Movement, NSPUK (the UK’s Nazi Party), Combat 18 and even a racist church called the Church of the Creator who advocated RAHOWA = RAcial HOly WAr.
By the time I opened my eyes, I had lost my mum, dad, wife and many old friends all because of the far-right’s hateful rhetoric which I had sadly embraced.
Looking back now I know all those years achieved absolutely nothing other than violence and racism in the communities I was brought up in and cared about passionately.
As a 15-year-old I walked unchallenged into the world of far-right extremism and this is why I founded Small Steps to stop people from getting caught up in the manipulation and lies of the far-right movement.
Since 2015, our small but dedicated team has delivered countless workshops and mentoring sessions across the UK to raise awareness of the dangers of far-right extremism, racism and violence, as well as helping hundreds of people walk away from hate.
Our courses are tailored to specific groups such as schoolchildren, frontline service professionals and community leaders, providing training and advice on how to tackle the issues that draw people to far-right narratives. We help expose the flaws within the far-right and highlight the signs of far-right activity and radicalisation.
Tackling extremism through education, compassion and understanding, isn’t everyone’s way to reduce extremism, but it’s ours and it works.
If you believe there has to be a better way, then get in touch and together, let’s see how we can reduce extremism and build a better country for everyone.
Nigel Bromage, founder.
Email: info@smallsteps.ltd