Boost for Inverclyde Schools

Children in Inverclyde primary schools received a boost to their efforts to celebrate religious and cultural diversity this week thanks to the kindness of a local employer and backing from the area’s MSP.

Cigna Insurance has teamed up with Nil by Mouth to give schools across Inverclyde access to the ‘Neeps & Tatties’ project which uses the Scots language as a way of helping children better understand difference.

Written entirely in Scots, and created by author Carey Morning and illustrator Anna York, ‘Neeps & Tatties’ tells the story of two warring vegetable tribes who are finally encouraged to put the past behind them in the interests of a better future. The book examines issues such as discrimination and prejudice and includes a series of classroom games and activities based around the story. These explore different cultures, including looking at the significance of food and festivals in different traditions.

Cigna Insurance employ hundreds of people at their Greenock base and are supporting the project to help promote equality and diversity in the community by donating books to every Inverclyde Primary School. Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Stuart McMillan visited Moorfoot Primary School in Gourock to lend his support for the project and distribute books to children and staff.

Stuart presents pupils with their copies.

Since being launched in January 2021, the book has been used in over 1,200 schools right across Scotland and the story has been performed on YouTube by artists such as CBeebies presenter Rory Connors.

Books are made available free of charge to schools thanks to the support of local businesses and charities such as Cigna. Digital versions are also available to download for free from the Nil by Mouth website for use at home.

Commenting, Stuart said:

“I’m grateful to Cigna for supporting Nil by Mouth’s ‘Neeps & Tatties’ project, which means children across Inverclyde will receive a free copy of the book.

“It’s important that we have conversations with children and young people about our differences and seeing these as traits to be celebrated rather than divide us. Instilling that morality from a young age will make society a better place for generations to come.”