Ground-breaking anti-bullying play touring Tameside schools

A ground-breaking anti-bullying play is touring schools in Tameside to raise awareness of diversity and discrimination.

Tameside Council’s Community Safety Partnership is funding the OutLoud events in secondary schools across the borough until March 2023.

Hive North’s acclaimed performance and workshop has been seen by more than 50,000 young people and praised by teachers, pupils and Ofsted for countering hate crime.

The 30-minute play is followed by a workshop that discusses homophobia, transphobia and biphobia discrimination and language, as well as cyber-bullying and hate crime and how to report it. The play is also designed to empower young LGBT people by celebrating diversity and role models. It’s based on real interviews with young people in Greater Manchester and is updated annually to give a true reflection of their thoughts and experiences.

Evaluation shows the play has an immediate impact on young people. Before seeing it, 21% would challenge or report homophobia or homophobic bullying in schools, but afterwards 93% of pupils would challenge or report it.

Tameside Council’s Executive Member for Education, Achievement and Equalities, Cllr Leanne Feeley, said: “I’m delighted that we’ve been able to facilitate Hive North’s play and workshop touring secondary schools in Tameside over the next few months. It’s an effective and proven way to engage with young people on the dreadful effects of homophobic bullying and raise awareness and understanding.

 “These brilliant performances and education will help empower our young people to recognise and report hate crime and help us eradicate any abuse in Tameside.”