ubuntu scotland • bringing equity to education
Our Projects
Ubuntu Scotland has partnered with a number of schools across the Central Belt of Scotland to deliver bespoke life-skill workshops based on the gaps within the school's curriculum.
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Below is a small snapshot of some of the most recent workshops that have been carried out by our team.
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Importance of Volunteering in the Community
This workshop centres around the importance of good social awareness and interpersonal skills, and the positive impact this can have on individuals around you.
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The young people are taught about what their community is, the importance of it for building friendships and the role they can play within it. We want them to have a strong sense of purpose in supporting those around them no matter how small.
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We introduce the concept of volunteering and how this can be simple things that start at home, like helping your mum with the cleaning, to expanding into supporting local groups.
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As part of the task for this workshop, the young people are told to write a letter to an elderly person; telling about themselves, their interests and what they do at school. These letters are a small form of volunteering for the young people as they are donated to the elderly residents at the Good Morning Service as a gift. It shows them that even the smallest act can be a big act of kindness in the eyes of another.
Refugees, Asylum Seekers (New Scots) and the Media
This workshop focuses on creating an understanding on what refugees and asylum seekers, better known as New Scots, are, and how and why they have come to live in Scotland.
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The young people are taught of war-torn countries and how this can create refugees, and how political and religious divides can force individuals to seek asylum and safety elsewhere. They learn that they are human beings just like us and all they want is a safe place to live, work and look after their families.
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We also stress the importance of showing support and solidarity, and how the media can paint a very different picture.
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As part of the activity for this workshops, the young people carry out a small act of volunteering by writing a letter to a refugee new to Glasgow, and these are donated to Refuweegee to be included in New Scot welcome packs.
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The sessions are carried out by New Scots who share their experience of coming to Glasgow.
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Soft Employability Skills
This workshop centres around soft employability skills, and looking at the everyday skills that future higher education bodies and employers are looking for.
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This is applicable to all ages, focussing on the importance of good communication, teamwork and leadership skills. The young people are taught that even without formal experience, employers love to see individuals taking their initiative, such as through volunteering in their local area.
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The purpose of this workshop is to show the young people that certificates and degrees are not the only thing that matters when it comes to future employment. Simple skills such as good communication are in fact the most important element to any environment and will be applicable to whatever the future holds.
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There is never a wrong route to employment and young people should know and embrace this.
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Credit: The Wise Group
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Art Therapy and Youth Mindfulness
This workshop centres around looking at new ways to combine both creativity and mental wellbeing.
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Art therapy is a fantastic way for young people to not only improve their creative skills, but to also find a sense of peace and relaxation through creating artwork.
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The workshops differ extensively from crayon landscapes to painting and drawing, with everything in between.
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The young people have the chance to learn new ways of making art and are given plenty of time to showcase their own masterpieces.
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Credit: Mind and Draw
Youth Advocacy Rights and the UNCRC
This workshop focuses on understanding what youth advocacy is and what role this can play in supporting young people.
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The young people are taught they all have basic rights afforded to them by the UNCRC and these must be protected. They will gain an understanding on how organisations can support their voices and rights through being advocates for them.
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There are many practical activities, from the young people playing a card game to decifer what role an advocate does and does not play, with a final written task of writing down what they see as a good advocacy worker looking like if/when they're in need of support.
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Credit: Partners in Advocacy
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