The success of a project which helps children in South Lanarkshire better understand the diversity of their communities has been celebrated at a special event at Lanark Primary School.
Pupils joined South Lanarkshire Council’s Chair of Education Cllr Lynsey Hamilton, staff from Nil by Mouth and musician and choreographer Carl Smith for a special morning of making music with their bodies and everyday household items.
Carl Smith is one of the creators of ‘Stomp: The Musical’ which toured in London’s West End and Broadway with great success. During the event he helped the children create their own mini-musical using body percussion and objects like bins, brushes and wooden spoons with a focus on how people can achieve more when they work together. The session was supported by the Loaningdale School Company who provided funding for the event.
The event was part of the school’s programme of activity with Nil by Mouth. Earlier in the week our staff delivered a series of workshops exploring identity and the consequences of prejudice on individuals and communities.
Nil by Mouth’s ‘United Against Division’ schools programme is available free of charge to every school in South Lanarkshire thanks to funding from the Scottish Government and over the past year over 1,000 pupils from more than 20 schools in the authority have participated. The charity has been working in partnership with the council for 15 years with several schools winning its ‘Champion for Change’ awards recognising excellence in challenging sectarianism and celebrating community.
Cllr Lynsey Hamilton said:
‘This was a brilliant morning watching the children make music and it underlines the talent of our young people in South Lanarkshire. Carl’s approach helped them get the best out of themselves and work as a team. It was also a unique opportunity to find out more about the important work Nil by Mouth carry out in partnership with our schools looking at issues around difference, discrimination and diversity. Understanding our own identity and the identities of others is an important part of growing up and I’m proud our schools provide an environment where important conversations can be held in a thoughtful manner.’
Nil by Mouth Director Dave Scott said:
‘We are delighted that Cllr Hamilton visited Lanark today to find out more about our work in South Lanarkshire. Last year over 1,000 pupils participated in our ‘United Against Division’ programme across the authority and we are proud of our long standing partnership with the council, its committed staff and brilliant young people. Our workshops focus on raising awareness of the issues surrounding sectarianism within our society, drawing out personal attitudes, views and experiences while encouraging young people to consider the impact of discriminatory language, actions or online behaviour on others. We also want to celebrate the things that we have in common including a love of music, art and sport and Carl has been a real hit with the children, teaching them new skills and helping them work together to make some amazing sounds.’
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