November has been North-East month at Nil by Mouth as we have been working with a number of partners to raise awareness of our work and the impact of sectarianism on society in the area.
Our ‘Neeps & Tatties’ project provides schools with a storybook and suite of digital resources to help teachers, pupils and parents discuss issues such as stereotypes, discrimination, religious intolerance and racism. More than 150 north-east schools have used the resource and our staff visited Muirfield PS in Aberdeen and Hillside Primary in Portlethen to read the story and talk to pupils about the impact of discrimination on individuals and society.
Aberdeen FC has also threw its weight behind the project by inviting young people studying the book from Muirfield to a special behind the scenes tour of Pittodrie.
Director Dave Scott delivered special workshops at North East of Scotland College looking at the consequences of online abuse and presented to a consortium of staff from after-school clubs in Aberdeen as well as meeting construction firms in the region to discuss involvement in the ‘Beyond Religion & Belief’ workplace project.
Nil by Mouth Partnership Manager Emma Alexander said:
‘We’ve had a brilliant few weeks in the North East and it has been really encouraging to see so many schools and organisations getting behind our work. There is always a great interest in Neeps & Tatties in the run up to St Andrew’s Day when many schools will be looking at Doric, Scots or Scotland as a topic and the book touches on issues such as racism and discrimination in a very thoughtful way. So much of our work challenging bigotry deals with how words can be used to hurt or belittle others. That’s why it’s brilliant to be able to celebrate language and the different ways we can express ourselves.
It was fantastic to have support from Aberdeen FC for this initiative and the club couldn’t have done more to make the young people welcome. Along with our visits to the college and local employers hundreds of people took part in activities with us over the last few weeks and we are grateful for everyone’s support.’
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