Strawberry Words

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Strawberry Words

Specialising in developing people Strawberry Words is a small company based in Birmingham, UK whose reach is global.

It is led by Director Rebbecca Hemmings who works with a small team of associates. From having conversations improving racial literacy and cultural awareness to developing wellbeing, confidence building and public speaking training, we offer a wide range of bespoke training and development options. Using a humanistic approach, our work is focused on improving self and people, thus creating harmonious thriving societies. We use training, educational resources and 1-1 sessions to help improve human relationships, wellbeing, and personal development skills. Popular course topics include:

Antiracism
Microaggression
Unconscious Bias
Public Speaking
Confidence and Resilience

Why not visit our courses website to find the right online or face to face option for you and your team? Check out our FREE Time to Talk About Race course at: www.straberrywordscourses.co.uk (please note this website is specific to our courses and is not the main site). Previous clients include:
Avanti West Coast, The Prince’s Trust, Clean Break, Clinks, Imagine Independence, University of Birmingham, University of Sussex, Birmingham City Council, West Midlands Fire Service, West Midlands Police, NHS England, The Royal Shakespeare Company, Play England, Birmingham Symphony Hall, The Refugee Council, St Pauls’ Trust, Birmingham Libraries, Wolverhampton Holmes, 100s of primary and secondary schools around the UK.

13/11/2025

Guess whose in the paper?

Yay! 🎉 We’re featured in this month’s edition of The Voice Newspaper, the UK’s leading Black publication in an article celebrating Strawberry Words’ journey from a small theatre company to a national consultancy driving anti-racism and cultural humility.

I know, not many people know our long history.

What an honour!

When I started Strawberry Words in 2001, I simply wanted to help improve lives for marginalised people through our humble school workshops.

I could never have imagined we’d one day be delivering CPD-accredited training across the NHS, councils, universities, and creative organisations nationwide and internationally.

The article beautifully captures how our ACTIVE Framework helps teams move from awareness to action, creating workplaces where everyone feels safe, valued and able to thrive.

Thank you to journalist Maxine Huie PGCert and The Voice team for sharing our story. Thank you to , , Dr Penny Rabiger, Sidney Jane Eusebio, Danielle Jones, Sharon Jones, Margaret Po**ck, Chantelle Jeffers and anyone else who has ever worked with STRAWBERRY WORDS!

Listen, I know times are rough but progress is happening and compassion remains at the heart of it.

You can read the article by zooming in.

03/10/2025

(From Rebbecca Hemmings) What happened in Manchester at the synonogue was a horrific racist attack. My heart goes out to the families and communities affected. The rise in racial hatred in the country is beyond worrying.

I just want to share a book that I have recently found very useful in breaking down the complications of antisemitism. They are a lot deeper and nuanced than many people are aware. The lessons shared make it that little bit easier to discuss issues which can feel impossible to express.

14/09/2025

(From Rebbecca - CEO of Stawberry Words) Last night, I ended the day with the question, “What can I/Strawberry Words do to help?” given that people are scared due to the heightened racial tensions in the UK? If you haven’t heard, a young Sikh woman was sexually assaulted in Oldbury, West Midlands, this week in a racially motivated, savage attack this week. This comes amidst the rising racial discord in the UK.

When I awoke this morning, this blog was created.

I truly hope it helps. Please read to the end, as I honestly think that in addition to noting the advice on how to stay safe and well, we ought to dig in deep and become even more passionate about finding joy as a form of resistance.

Do share with anyone who might find comfort in this or find it helpful. Link in bio.

08/09/2025

Check out a few unofficial photos from our Embedding DEI in Evolving Times event. Look out for the official photos soon!

12/08/2025

Yesterday, podcast master Roger Moore FRSL Hons(GMIA), came to recce the space at NatWest, in preparation for the recording of our first in-person podcast “Embedding DEI in Evolving Times”.

Everything is set!

Have no idea what I’m talking about?

If any of you are working in HR, DEI, organisational development or similar, you may wish to sign up for our event taking place at the hub in 5th September at The NatWest Accelerator with Marcel De Jonghe, CMgr MCMI Head of EDI &B at Birmingham City Council, Helen Cuthill The CEO of The Smallpeice Trust and Loreal Stokes Head of EDI at the University of Birmingham.

Link to book the last 6 tickets is in our bio.

09/08/2025

Today Rebbecca spoke with Femi Olajiga on his podcast to discuss all things cultural humility, diversity and inclusion from a marketing team’s perspective. In it, she mentioned our 5 D’s of Resistance (these are common ways we find that people avoid having conversations about race). He found them useful, so we will share here too:

Defence: “X doesn’t have a racist bone in their body.”
There can be an instant desire to defend one’s position. This is often to express that “I am not racist” or due to the uncomfortable nature of the conversation the purpose can be to stop the conversation from continuing.

Deny: “I am not biased!”
It can often be easier to deny someone their experience rather than entertain the possibility that it is happening or is true. We all can do this when we are scared of the reality, don’t want to believe what is being said or genuinely think they might be telling an untruth or exaggerating.

Discredit: “Those people are naturally violent.”
Often, a very effective technique is to discredit the person or persons like the complainant. This then casts a shadow of doubt on their accusations or comments.

Downplay or justify: “He was probably just having a bad day.”
The act of minimising the harmful nature of racism is also very common. If the person on the receiving end or other bystanders can be convinced that it is not as bad as the ethnic minority is making out, the issue is more likely to go away as it won’t be taken that seriously.

Deflect: “But what about…?”
When someone asks, “But what about...?” as a defence mechanism when discussing racism, it often reflects a psychological process known as “counter-arguing” or “denial.”

Address

Birmingham
B64TN

Website

http://www.strawberrywords.co.uk/

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