Diversity charity celebrating 10 years across Merseyside and the North West asks more people to share their stories

A charity which aims to end LGBTQ+ bullying and help young people understand and embrace different identities across Merseyside and the North West has celebrated its 10^th anniversary.

Diversity Role Models marked a decade of change with a special evening at the Hilton Hotel Liverpool. 

While things are getting better, it says more needs to be done to ensure a more accepting and inclusive environment.

And it has appealed for more people to come forward to share their journeys and experiences to help make that happen.

Emma Miller-McCaffrey, head of relationships for Diversity Role Models, says: “The evening went really well.  We had a nice group of people there, all really supportive, and some potential new volunteers too.

“It was just great to mark the moment and the fact that we have been working across Merseyside and the North West for the last 10 years.”

They add: “In that time we have worked with close to 150 schools across the region, and directly impacted 40,000 people and school staff.

“And last night was about thanking our fundraisers and our volunteers, because without them coming into the classroom and sharing their stories, our work wouldn’t been the same.

“Studies show you’re 22 times more likely to remember a story than a plain fact, and positive role models and storytelling can significantly reduce prejudicial attitudes. We see first-hand the power of personal storytelling, with 96% of primary pupils saying they’d respect someone who is different to them more as a result of attending a Diversity Role Models workshop.”

Diversity Role Models was set up nationally in 2011 – before moving to the regions a few years later -with a vision to help create a world where everybody embraces diversity.

“Our mission is to end LGBTQ+ bullying and influence an education system where every young person knows that they are valued and supported, regardless of their differences.

“We go into nurseries, primary schools, high schools, higher and further education, all the way up to trainee teachers, to deliver workshops to help people recognise, understand and embrace different identities.

“We do staff training, governor training, and parent/carer workshops for the adults within a school community as well.”

Emma says: “Our main focus is those classroom interactions with young people, and front and centre within that are our volunteers across the LGBTQ+ spectrum, as well as allies, who can share their lived experience.”

Its work is aligned with the national curriculum: “In primary schools we talk about different families and differences in general. I still go into schools and share my story, my wife Ann does as well, and we talk about being parents and in a same sex relationship, what does that mean for our daughter, and the fact that it doesn’t mean anything different.

“She still gets to have fun, we get to do all these different things, and it might mean that our family looks a little different from someone else’s but, if you look around the classroom, everyone’s family will be different.

“In secondary schools we focus more on volunteers sharing their personal stories about coming out, their lived experiences of self-identity and, hopefully, positive messages around how you can be who you want to be, whoever you are, and be okay.

“We speak to potential allies and what they can do to be upstanders, who will challenge inappropriate action and language, and be a better friend.  That trickles down to other differences, and to just being kind across the board.”

Emma says there has definitely been a shift.

“Although there are ups and downs, things are more positive than they were in 2011.

“At the moment it’s particularly a tough time for our trans and non-binary community, and we find there are more cases of transphobia in schools. 

“But what we DO see is more positive representation of the LGBTQ+ community not just in mainstream media but from the pupils themselves, because they have seen that in front of them, in the music industry, on TV, etc., and they are feeling more able, and confident, to be open about who they are.”

But they add: “The underlying prejudices and bullying still exist. It’s those we want to erase.”

As Diversity Role Models continues to educate, raise awareness, and share experiences, it’s keen to talk to organisations and companies who can support and help fund its work.

“For a business in a local area it’s about how they can better the community they are based in, and how they can make a direct impact on that local community. It’s about educating now for the future… because those people we talk to may be six or 16 now, but sooner or later they are going to want to step into the world of work, and hopefully bring with them a different perspective to make the business environment more open, inclusive, and respectful.”

And it is appealing for volunteers to consider donating their time and expertise to fostering diversity and inclusion. 

“We would love people from Merseyside to sign up and come into the classrooms with us, and share their experiences in schools across the area.”

Ultimately, Emma says, their message is simple: “Treat everyone with kindness.”

For more info on Diversity Role Models click here.