Projects, Workshops & Resources
Designed to support you and your learners in building empathy, self-respect and respect for one another and the planet
Climate Action Plans
By working together, we want to support staff in schools to feel part of a wider community who know where to go locally and nationally for expertise and help, and who feel empowered to take positive actions for the environment.
It is an expectation that all schools will have a designated Sustainability Lead & a Climate Action Plan in place by the end of 2025!
We know that there is a great deal of information already available to help schools but it can be overwhelming to know where to start. So, we are offering Headteachers, Senior leaders and Teaching staff the opportunity to have an initial conversation with us to explore how we may be able to help you move forward. To identify the specific challenges your school may face in terms of educating about climate change and the specific support you would like, whether it is: training for staff, resources and expertise to support this work practically and in the curriculum or support to develop a whole school approach and Climate Action Plan.
Where We Can Call Home
DEED has been working with Citizens Advice Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) for the past two years to learn more about the rich, cultural heritage of BCP, its challenges and its successes. ‘Where We Can Call Home’ is a community heritage project telling the stories of people from BCP’s ethnically diverse communities and how their journeys from different places have led them to make BCP their home.
Our team of community researchers have recorded over 50 interviews with local people, many of whom are here working, others are here to learn, some are even here for love. There are so many reasons why people have come to BCP, but all are building their own lives, which is not always easy, and has taken resilience, ingenuity and resourcefulness.
Many of those interviewed went on to share their stories through performance and talks as part of a programme of storytelling events. Vita Nova’s Celeste; Unity in Vision; Ukrainian Community Dorset; Kainaat; and Africa Comes to Bournemouth all created events where people shared their unique perspectives on identity and belonging. Poonam Paranjpe and Noah Messomo who were also interviewed, visited local schools to tell their stories to the children and share with them aspects of their Indian or African cultural heritage. Our ‘Talking Tings’ podcast hosted by Ebi Sosseh, one of our community researchers, explored local African, Caribbean and British perspectives on food, culture, education and family life. Interviews will be shared on a new website and become part of Dorset History Centre’s archives.
People’s incredible journeys, told beautifully, immerse you in their world, just for a moment. They provoke questions of us, as listeners, about how we can change our communities for the better.
Wimborne First School raised beds overwintering and surrounding new build homes - Dec 2024
Growing Spaces, Growing Minds
We are delighted to share the news that DEED has been awarded a grant from Talbot Village Trust to work with Wimborne First School and Rebecca Bourdon - a horticulture expert, to help transform the school’s outdoor space to enable young people to understand and connect with nature to promote their well-being and feel empowered to take positive action for the environment.
Alongside volunteer experts from Knoll Gardens Foundation and Planet Wimborne, this project started last term with a site visit and a polytunnel and shelter being constructed in the school grounds. Now, we are ready to launch the project with staff and pupils and let the families and wider community know what’s happening over the year.
We start with a whole school assembly at the beginning of March, then look forward to working alongside staff and pupils to explore their connection to nature with workshops, inspiring speakers, practical food growing and nature friendly gardening activities which will be included across the whole school. The aim is for everyone to connect with their place and feel empowered to be able to make a positive difference.
If you have any questions or would like more information please contact Sarah at DEED.
Diverse Stories
This new pupil workshop provides a ‘golden thread’ of learning about diversity in the UK throughout the curriculum.
DEED was lucky enough to be invited to run our new Diverse Stories pupil workshops as part of Prince of Wales First School’s Heritage Week.
From Preschool to Year 4, we explored the real-life stories of people who live, or were born, in the UK but have heritage from around the world. Each person had achieved great things through their love of sport, science, education, or singing and dancing.
Each year group had a literacy hook, as each person had either written a book or had one written about them and together, we learnt how they overcame difficulties and setbacks to fulfil their dreams. Each class was given with a copy of the book we’d talked about.
After visiting each class, we ended the day with a whole school assembly celebrating how we can all make people feel welcome, both at school and in our community, and how, against many odds, people can do the most wonderful things.
DEED’s Diverse Stories workshop is now available for all First and Primary schools. To find out more contact Louise at DEED.
Many Faiths Living Together
TThis exciting partnership between DEED, Dorset Race Equality Council and 5 Community Leaders representing 5 world faiths and movements including Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Christianity and Humanism helped students from local schools connect with different faiths and cultures.
We discussed controversial global and moral issues with students, helping to reduce fear and prejudice against those of another faith or cultural background. We thank Allenbourn Middle, Budmouth Academy, Ferndown Middle, Ferndown Upper and St Aldhelm’s Academy for welcoming us into their schools.
Although this project is now finished, as a team we are still very keen to continue and find new funding for this invaluable work.
To find out more contact DEED.
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