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A group of people confronting one person on their own

This page explains that racism is treating people unfairly because of their skin colour, religion, or way of life.

It encourages everyone to be kind, learn about racism and speak up to stop it.

Two people are reading a document. One person is pointing to the page and talking.

You can watch the video or read the information below.

A member of staff or a carer can support you. They will try to answer any questions that you have.

Watch the video

This transcript provides an audio and visual description of the video “What is racism?”

Audio Visual
Imagine if everyone looked the same, spoke the same, and believed the same things. It would be quite dull, wouldn’t it? This video is a simple guide to help us understand racism and why respecting our differences makes the world a happier and more interesting place. An AI-generated narrator wearing a white blouse and an orange jacket is talking. On-screen text reads: “What is racism?”
Everybody is different. People have different skin colour, different beliefs or religions. People wear different clothes and eat different foods. People speak different languages or have different accents. Images appear on screen:
  • A group of five people smiling and giving a thumbs up
  • A mosque and a church
  • Three people looking at different healthy foods
  • Speech bubbles showing different languages
Racism is when someone is treated badly because of their skin colour, religion or way of life. Treating people differently for any of these reasons is racism. Racism happens everywhere and every day.
  • A woman shouting and pointing at another woman who is covering her eyes
  • Three young people laughing and pointing at an older person
  • A man and woman pointing at a woman with her arms out
Racism includes saying hurtful things, bullying, or ignoring someone because of their skin colour, religion or way of life. Racism is thinking that all people with the same skin colour, religion, or way of life behave, think or talk in the same way.
  • An angry man shouting and pointing
  • A man and a woman standing back-to-back with arms folded
  • Two smiling women facing each other with a thought cloud showing an equals sign
Racism can make people feel scared, sad or angry. Racism can affect people’s mental health and make people feel alone. Recognising the hurt caused by racism is the first step to stopping it.
  • A man crying
  • A man looking angry
  • A man with his arms crossed and head down, with thought clouds showing sadness, anger and fear
Hurting someone or calling them names because of their skin colour, religion or way of life is a hate crime. Hate crime is against the law. Staff must report hate crime to the police. The police may take people to court.
  • An aggressive man shouting at another man who is covering his ears
  • A “No Racism” symbol with a red cross
  • A police officer leading someone away
  • A large court house building
So what can people do differently? Be kind to everyone. Listen to others. Tell someone you trust if you see racism. If you make a mistake, say sorry. You can say: “I’m sorry for what I did. You did not deserve that. What can I do better next time?”
  • A couple smiling
  • A group of people sitting around a table listening and talking
  • A man talking to a woman who is writing
  • A couple shaking hands
What have you learned from watching this video? Are you worried about anything? Will you do anything differently? Be kind and listen to everyone, no matter their differences. There is no place for racism in our Trust.
  • A woman holding her arms out next to a question mark
  • A woman thinking with a finger on her chin and empty thought clouds
This video was made using a computer programme. The narrator is not a real person. The information shared can be found in the Trust’s Easy Read leaflet “What is racism”. You can find it in the resource library on the Trust website or ask a member of staff for a copy.

On-screen text:
A group of people all holding their thumbs up

Everybody is different

People have different skin colour.

People wear different  clothes.

Three people in front of a table with lots of different foods

People eat different foods.

Speech bubbles with lots of different languages

People speak different languages or have different accents.

A temple and a church next to each other

People have different beliefs or religions.

A person shouting at another person who is covering their ears with their hands

What is racism?

Some people are treated  badly because of their 
skin colour, religion or way  of life.

Treating people differently  for any of these things is racism.

Person holding out their arms with people pointing behind

Racism happens every day and everywhere.

Person being menacing and pointing

What are different kinds of racism?

These could be things like:

  • Saying hurtful things to someone because of their skin colour, religion or way of life.
  • Upsetting someone because of their skin colour, religion or way of life.
Two people with their backs to each other

Sometimes people are treated unfairly because of 
their skin colour, religion or way of life.

These could be things like:

  • Being left out or ignored
  • Being bullied
  • Difficulties getting a job
Two people looking at each other with a thought cloud above them
  • Thinking all people with the same skin colour,  religion or way of life will behave, talk or think in the same way.
Someone crying

How does racism hurt people?

Racism can make people feel:

  • Scared or sad
Angry looking person
  • or angry
One person with a thought cloud above their head

Racism can affect people’s  mental health and make people feel alone.
 

A group of people confronting one person on their own

What can happen if people say or do racist things

Hurting someone because of their skin colour, religion or way of life is a hate crime.

One person shouting and pointing to another

Calling someone names because of their skin colour, religion or way of life is a hate crime.

A police officer next to Hate Crime written in text and a red cross through the words

Hate crime is against the law.

A police officer walking next to someone else

Staff must report hate crime to the police to keep everyone safe.

The police may come and talk to you about hate crime.

A court house

The police may take you to court for hate crime

Two people next to each smiling. Once of them has their arm around the other.

What can people do differently?

We can:

  • Be kind to everyone.
A group of people talking and listening

Listen to others.

Red circle with no racism and a red cross

Learn about racism.

One person talking while another person writes down notes

If you see racism happening, you should 
tell someone you trust.

Two people shaking hands

If you make a mistake, you should say sorry.

You can also say:

  • I’m sorry for what I did.
  • You did not deserve that.
  • What can I do better next time?
Happy person holding up a document

Your thoughts

What have I learnt from reading this?

A worried person

Am I worried about anything?

A person thinking

What will I do differently?

Have your say easy read leaflet cover

Problems, complaints or suggestions

Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust has a complaints policy.

If you want to complain we will give you a leaflet to explain how to, or you can talk to a member of staff.

If you think there are things we could do to make our service better please tell a member of the team.

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Further information about the content, reference sources or production of this leaflet can be obtained from the Patient Information Centre. If you would like to tell us what you think about this leaflet please get in touch.

This information can be made available in a range of formats on request (Braille, audio, larger print, BSL or other languages). Please contact the Patient Information Centre on 0191 246 7288

Published by the Patient Information Centre
2025 Copyright: Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust

Ref: PIC/938/1025 October 2025 V1
Review date 2028

Website: www.cntw.nhs.uk