AN educational initiative at Great Tapestry of Scotland in Galashiels in the Scottish Borders has been extended for a further year following success.
In just six months, it has given more than 1000 children and young people the chance to connect with Scotland’s history, heritage and culture.
The initiative has helped to develop their skills to become the next great storytellers, digital innovators, creative business leaders and tour guides of the future.
Through the artistry and visual storytelling of the project, the aim is to make Scotland’s history, heritage and culture accessible to all.
The project has been delivered in partnership with the Inspire Learning team at Scottish Borders Council – and is being operated by cultural, sports and leisure charity Live Borders.
Sandy Maxwell-Forbes, centre director for the Great Tapestry of Scotland at Live Borders, said: “It is fantastic to see the very real impact that the Tapestry’s compelling visual storytelling is having on children’s education, inspiration and wellbeing.
“We can see firsthand that it is truly engaging young people in Scotland’s history, heritage and culture. Through stories of Scotland’s great global achievements and influences, it is even helping children who have moved here from other countries to feel even more connected to their new home.”
The devastating impact of the cost of living crisis on many local families has been highlighted by the team at the Great Tapestry of Scotland.
They have sourced funding from several trusts and community groups, allowing schools across the Borders to participate in their educational programme for free.
Funders include the Heywood Sanderson Trust, Langlee Residents’ Association, and the Galashiels Focus Centre. Developing The Young Workforce, an organisation which bridges the gap between workforce and education, paid for buses to bring pupils from Selkirk High School to the centre.
It has also provided an opportunity for local pupils to make a key contribution to the new “national metaverse playbook” for Scottish visitor attractions, and to connect with the tapestry’s arts, textiles and tourism business partners.
Most recently, staff at the visitor centre trained a group of pupils from St Peter’s Primary School in Galashiels to become tour guides.
One of the P6 tour guides, Kamsi Nwaeze, 10, said: “I enjoyed writing our own tour guide scripts and doing the application forms. The tapestry is very cool and there are lots of zones to explore. The panels are so filled with lots of history. I have learned loads.”
Ewan Jackson, chief executive of Live Borders, said: “This pioneering initiative has allowed us to explore how we can further support education and attainment and give children and young people the best start in life. We look forward to continuing to work with Inspire Learning across all our attractions in the years ahead.”
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