Breaking down racial barriers

Pictured (from the left): Joe Leacock, Becca Sharples, Becky Begum, Juleka Begum, Leonie Glynn and Katharine Rhodes (project leader)

A PROJECT that brings together teenagers from Oldham’s different communities has been nominated for a Pride in Oldham award.

The Shared Futures Project was established throughout Oldham secondary schools following the Oldham riots in 2001.

Year 11 students from different communities come together to discuss what it means to them to be an Oldhamer.

Five years after its creation, the project is still going strong with more than 300 pupils having participated in workshops, seminars and residential trips.

Des Herlihy, head teacher at Royton and Crompton School, nominated the project along with project leader Katharine Rhodes.

He said: “Following the riots in 2001, there were a number of visits to Northern Ireland by school staff to identify a programme on youth leadership. The Spirit of Enniskillen is a conflict prevention and resolution programme which we based the Oldham project on.

“It said you are not responsible for the problems in Northern Ireland but you are responsible for your contribution to them.

“We took that idea into Oldham’s secondary school systems and as a result, over 300 students have talked about their experience of being an Oldhamer.

“Pupils from different backgrounds have discovered that they have more in common with each other than differences.

“Young people find it reassuring and surprising they have the same issues, and they can talk about charged issues in a safe environment.”

Mr Herlihy said organisations, including Oldham Council and the Local Education Authority, have supported the scheme but it was project leader Katharine Rhodes who worked tirelessly to find funding streams for the project.

She said: “Being nominated for a Pride in Oldham award is great recognition of the work that has gone one, particularly of the young people involved.

“Some pupils who started with us have stayed with the project over the years as volunteers and its a real tribute to their commitment and their passion for the Shared Futures project.

“Community cohesion is just as relevant now as five years ago, there is an ongoing need to bring young people from different communities together.”