Totally Together
An exciting, song-filled show, that promotes community cohesion,
celebrates difference and tackles racism and discrimination, in a way that
9-13 year olds find entertaining, educational…and ‘totally’ memorable!
that delivers key messages with humour and sensitivity.”
Jane E Brown, Head of Diversity, London Borough of Waltham Forest
Totally Together shows young people our multicultural world through the eyes of some very misguided comedy characters, who come to realise that embracing difference is the way forward! This engaging 35 minute performance helps young people build empathy towards, and strong positive relationships with, people from different social and cultural backgrounds.
The project shows young people that they can play an active part in their community, and that their actions and behaviours can have a strong effect on those around them. It also dispels the current myths and misunderstandings around immigration and asylum seekers. Totally Together helps future generations understand and respect the diversity of the society in which we live, developing greater equality and community cohesion.
Totally Together links directly to the ’“Duty To Promote Community Cohesion” (DCSF, 2007) and the Equality Legislation Guide For Schools, promoting community values and equality opportunities for all, regardless of race, colour, ethnicity, religion or social background or any other factors.
Pupil, Lifeline Youth Project, London Borough of Barking & Dagenham
THE NEED
Community cohesion is a particularly pertinent issue in the current socio-economic climate. In the grips of recession extreme right wing political parties are gaining popularity in deprived and ethnically diverse areas and the importance of understanding and accepting difference is often undermined. The media is awash with stories of hate crimes and bullying incidents amongst young people and today’s society is increasingly fearful of the world in which it lives. As educators, Chain Reaction demonstrate another way of living; a way that shuns fear and violence and is instead based on tolerance, and understanding.
At 9-13 years, young people are at a transitional time of life when individual opinions and beliefs are being formulated and it is vital that, at this age, young people understand the importance of making their own decisions. Totally Together educates and inspires its audience so that they are more knowledgeable, more confident, and more able to make positive choices and informed decisions with regard to their own views and actions, both in and out of the school environment.
Since 2007, all UK schools have a legal duty to promote community cohesion. The government have identified a need for work around this important topic, as migration and economic change alter the shape of our increasingly diverse local communities, it is more important than ever that all schools play a full part in creating a cohesive society.
THE SHOW
Totally Together centres on the comings and goings at the Our Place Athletics Club where Tanisha and Jake (two young Our Place runners) are in vigorous training for the County Championships relay race. The arrival of Kelly, a talented London 2012 Olympics hopeful from the Somewhere Else team, could bring great things to the club – new skills, new goals and new successes – but her welcome to Our Place is far from warm…
Kelly is greeted with open hostility and suspicion by her new hosts, but gradually she begins to prove to her new team that she has just as much to offer as they do. The three young runners learn that by working together, accepting each other, and sharing their experiences and knowledge, they can all be winners at the County Championships, the 2012 Olympics and in life in general.
A host of popular TV characters underline the important messages. From school bully ‘Vicky Pollard’ to the Little Britain ‘Laydeeez’ and Kazakhstan’s Borat, everyone learns something new about immigration and diversity. With drama, laughter and songs from the Sugababes and Gwen Stefani, Totally Together delivers its serious community cohesion message in a positive, balanced, and, at times, hilariously funny manner, perfect for engaging the 9-13 age group.
I was there!! Thank you very much.”
Kathy Pinfold, Traveller Co-ordinator, Children’s Services,
London Borough of Barking & Dagenham
TOTALLY TOGETHER TEACHES CHILDREN…
- the importance of accepting people’s differences
- that people from other cultures/backgrounds make a valuable contribution to life in Britain
- the difference between asylum seekers and refugees
- that bullying is unfair and hurtful
- that their actions have an effect on those around them
- to empathise with other people
- to make up their own minds on discrimination issues, rather than listening to others
- to be friendly towards new people/ people from other cultures/backgrounds
Pupil, age 9, Chase Side Primary School, London Borough of Enfield
AT A GLANCE…
| Show length: | 35 mins (45 mins with hot-seating session) |
| Included extras: | Teachers’ resource pack 10 minute hot-seating session |
| Optional extras: | 1 hour workshop |
| For ages: | 9-13 |
| School year groups: | 5 – 8 |
| Level: | Junior/Secondary |
| Curriculum links and current themes: |
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message from it…. Several pupils commented that it made them realise that everyone is
different. Many spoke about how we should treat people the way we would like to be treated….
Others… had learned the difference between asylum seekers and refugees….
This was an informative and entertaining way of addressing these issues….
entertaining, professional and informative.”
Ms Crossan, Form Tutor, Saint Ursula’s Convent School, London Borough of Greenwich
See the “What’s On” box (left) to find out if this project is touring soon.
To receive a past evaluation report or to find out more get in touch.
