With the start of the new academic year comes the opportunity to educate children and young people on the history of current social issues. We've compiled a list of upcoming awareness events in the first term, including black history and transgender awareness, that you may want to consider for assemblies, PSHE topics, or staff CPD.
OCTOBER
Black History Month
This year's Black History Month focuses on celebrating the accomplishments of black women throughout history, with the themes of #SalutingOurSisters and #WeMatter. Now is a great time to get planning assemblies or booking workshops to celebrate the amazing contributions black women have made to literature, music, academia, politics, and more. The Black History Month organisation is also holding a poetry competition, which is open to students of all ages as well as general members of the public.
ADHD Awareness Month
October is also ADHD awareness month. Children and adults with ADHD can struggle to fit into the confines of todays society, and ADHD can be a risk factor for negative outcomes; ADHD is overrepresented in prison populations and is highly correlated with some mental health disorders such as Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD - also know as BPD). However, with the right support, those with ADHD can be extremely motivated, creative, and successful. In fact, there is an argument that what are now defined as ADHD traits were beneficial in pre-historic stages of humanity. Get in touch to find out more about our staff CPD workshop, which will help you support students with ADHD to reach their full potential.
11th National Coming Out Day
This is an important day to celebrate LGBTQ+ communities, and make sure your students know that your school or organisation is a safe place for them to be themselves. If you, or other members of staff, identify as LGBTQ+, this could be an opportunity to share your own coming out experience with students - as long as you feel comfortable!
18th Anti-Slavery Day
As well as teaching about historical slavery, it is important to recognise that modern slavery is still rife across the globe. It is estimated that some 50 million people are living in conditions of modern slavery. Stronger Together have some free resources on the topic, while we can help out with historical resources.
NOVEMBER
13th - 17th
Anti-Bullying Week
This year's campaign theme is 'make a noise about bullying.' The Anti-Bullying Alliance has some free resource packs for the campaign, but if you want to do something a bit different, it is also great opportunity to celebrate diversity with one of our workshops. We encourage students to stand up against injustices they experience or witness, through educating them about historical injustices faced by, for instance, black or LGBTQ+ communities.
13th - 19th / 20th
Transgender Awareness Week / Transgender Day of Remembrance
This is an important time to raise awareness for the trans community, and to remember those who have lost their lives to transphobic violence. You could see if there is a vigil in your local area, or even host one yourselves.
23rd
Unthanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving is a North American holiday that many of us in the UK have heard of through film and TV. Its origins however, arguably rooted in oppression, colonialism, and genocide of the native peoples of America, are often glossed over. Unthanksgiving is a counter-holiday that honours the Native Americans that lost their lives to European colonialism, and addresses the prejudice that such communities still face today. Get in touch to find out what resources and workshops we have on this topic.
DECEMBER
10th
World Human Rights Day
This is an opportunity for your students to understand that 'injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere' (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.). Trans rights, women's rights, and black rights are human rights and it is important for everyone to advocate for each other. The theme for this year is 'Dignity, Freedom, and Justice for All.' We believe that educating children and young people on the historical fights for these rights can help them to shape a more just future. #WorldHumanRightsDay
Email rosa@diversehistory.co.uk if you would like to find out which resources and workshops we have to support you with these events.
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