Diversity in the UK!

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The Encompass ‘Diversity in the UK’ programme ran from 1st-7th July at the Outward Bound centre near Aberdovey in Wales, and brought together 20 young people from different ethnic, religious and socio-economic backgrounds, and from locations as diverse as Cornwall, Northern Ireland, Lincoln and Scotland.

The participants came face to face for the first time at Birmingham New Street train station on Tuesday 1st July before boarding a coach and embarking on the long and winding journey to the west coast of Wales where they would be spending the next 7 days. On arrival at the Outward Bound centre, the participants were launched straight into their exciting programme of activities, starting with ice-breakers and getting to know each other.

As the week progressed, so the intensity of the activities escalated. The participants were forced to face their fears when jumping from a pole high above the ground to a trapeze, scaling a cliff face and climbing on board a raft they had built to brave the cold sea water. At the same time they also confronted their stereotypes as they embarked upon discussions with people whom they might never normally talk to. Challenging their preconceptions and starting to understand the reasons that prejudices exist, the group became closer as the week wore on, and tears were shed when the time came to return to Birmingham, say goodbye, and go their separate ways.

Encompass was delighted to welcome Professor Harris Beider from the Institute for Community Cohesion to speak at the Closing Ceremony held in Birmingham on the last day of the programme. Speaking about the issues surrounding community cohesion, Professor Beider sparked the group’s enthusiasm and helped to put the programme into context. The 20 young people who took part in the ‘Diversity in the UK’ programme are now in the position to take the experiences they have had and the things they have learnt during their week in Wales and to use these to spread the ideals of tolerance and intercultural understanding within their own local communities.

While this was the first UK-wide programme run by Encompass, we very much hope that this will be one of many more to come as Encompass continues to venture into new areas of the UK. Judging by the experiences shared by many of the participants at the Closing Ceremony, this marked the end of another successful programme but only the first step in a wider journey of understanding. Watch this space for the latest news from the ‘Diversity in the UK’ participants and the plans that Encompass has to help them develop their ideas!

Posted Wednesday July 16, 2008