Blog Posts - The TrueTube Blog

Forced marriage

17/7/2014

Fear is an important part of life. Fear is an instinctive reaction to danger, and without it, we would not get the necessary adrenaline rush which gives us the energy to either run away or fight the cause. It is a natural part of living and something we all experience at one time or another.

However, there is a certain kind of fear which many of us are lucky to never to face. Childhood usually comes with the wonderful gift of fearlessness. The joy of innocence and the lack of self-consciousness allows so many children to live happy lives, blissfully unaware of the heartache that is often found in adult life. There are however, many children in the world who are not so lucky. Among them are the victims of forced child marriage. Children as young as eight years old are forced to marry men much older than themselves. The victims are pushed into adult life many years before their natural time. Stripping away their innocence and freedom is something we must all stand up against if we are to protect those whose voices cannot be heard. Forced marriage happens for a number of reasons: cultural and religious expectations; the preservation of wealth and reputation in the family; and controlling sexual behavior are just a few examples. Many children in the UK are taken abroad in the school holidays, unaware of their fate. After experiencing many ordeals that no child should endure, they return after the holidays a shell of the happy child they once were.

One particular child, who was a victim of forced marriage, stood up for her rights and grew into the courageous woman she now is today. Sameem Ali was forced to marry a man she barely knew at only thirteen years of age. Although it gravely affected her physically and emotionally, she escaped the abusive lifestyle and is now an author, a local government councillor, and campaigns for education about the kind of abuse that haunted her upbringing. TrueTube have produced a film exploring Sameem’s story, highlighting how forced marriage happens, why it happens, and how we can all help to prevent it. It is through the power of education that we can preserve the innocence of childhood which is so carelessly taken away.

anchors aweigh

15/7/2014

As I explained when I first started this blog, I am taking part in the ‘Time to Shine’ Internship Scheme with the Rank Foundation. Within this internship, I am filling the role of Marketing and Research Assistant at TrueTube. In addition to the amazing experience I am gaining within my role, I am offered several amazing opportunities which are too valuable to miss. One of which, was a sailing voyage in association with Tall Ships Adventures. Before the Sailing Voyage, I tried to prepare myself for a tough week ahead. I assumed it would be very early mornings, hard work and a generally quite regimented. It lived up to my expectations in terms of early starts and working hard, but there was much more of an informal, social atmosphere amongst the team than I’d thought there would be. This was definitely a preferable style, as it meant we felt comfortable socialising with our captain and first mate, and felt we could talk to them if we needed support.

I developed many skills such as working well in a team, coping well in tough situations and time keeping. A typical day would include waking up around 7am, eating breakfast as a team and preparing the ship for the day ahead. This would include winching, hoisting the sails, tacking, jibing and rigging. All sailing activities required strong team work and dedication, skills I feel we all developed individually. The highlight of the voyage for me, was making genuinely good friends for life. Even though a week is not a long time, it is a very intense amount of time to spend with people you don’t know in very close proximity. Consequently, I became very close to a few of the girls. We were a mixture of youth workers and people from the Time to Shine Internship scheme. We now share the memories of sailing to Portsmouth, Aldany, Dorset, Jersey and the Isle of Wight. I have no doubt that the crew will keep in touch and will take on a challenging voyage in the near future.

Celebrating the trip with the ladies on board

One small step

3/7/2014

Talking to new people in a new place can be a daunting experience, regardless of age. Whether you’re starting your first day at a new school or introducing yourself to a new team at work, it is completely normal to feel nervous. People can often seem confident and sociable in such situations, but they may be concealing a wave of anxiety. Making polite conversation, getting involved in discussion and making your voice heard are all challenges when you’re not in familiar surroundings. Support and guidance for dealing with this type of anxiety can come in all forms. The use of humour for example, should not be underestimated. A light-hearted approach to a serious topic can sometimes be the right approach to take. On TrueTube we have an increasing number of animations whose wittiness and relaxing tone can make a subject seem much more manageable, simple and less intimidating.

Biomation Productions is a social enterprise which provides this exact type of advice. They help children and young people to create informative animated films which explore issues people want to talk about. The film ‘One Small Step – Making Friends in New Places’ tackles the issue of meeting new people, giving advice for every step of the way. TrueTube is proud to host a range of Biomation films, including this one. Shy, likeable aliens are used as the main characters, symbolising the alienation people can feel in so many situations. The aliens travel around the galaxy, meeting new life forms on different planets. Feeling shy and isolated, they take the advice provided and soon feel at home. If you’re looking for a film to approach this topic in a gentle but efficient way, this could be the perfect resource to show your students. It is especially suitable for Year 6s visiting your school for the first time, or when they begin as Year 7s in September. Everybody deserves to feel comfortable in new surroundings, whether you’re an alien from Mars, or a shy student at the back of the class.

Transplant week

21/6/2014

Tranplant week runs from Monday the 7th of July, to Sunday the 13th of July. Every year, the NHS runs this event for a number of reasons. Essentially, it is to raise awareness for the need to register as a donor. Many people want to register as an organ donor, but do not know the right way to go about it. The week is also used to dispel a few myths about organ donation and to celebrate the many lives which have already been miraculously saved. All you have to do to register, is go to the NHS website: http://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/ and fill in your details.

TrueTube have provided an assembly script and two accompanying films to promote National Transplant week. The assembly itself provides two activities which will allow the students to reflect on the significance of organ donation, why it is done, and what the people involved go through physically and emotionally. The two films explores the different opinions of the public on organ donation and the ethical implications surrounding the topic. These resources are the perfect choice if you want to introduce the subject sensitively and creatively. For this topic, I have decided to write my blog from a slightly different angle. I have written the poem below this paragraph, in the hope that it will encourage people to register online. A life can be saved in the future just by taking ten minutes out of your day today.

My eyes do not stare my heart does not beat,
I may no longer feel the ground beneath my feet.
I cannot hear your voice in my ears,
Or wipe away your mournful tears.

There is something I have promised to do,
A wish of mine which I hope to come true.
A wish that will turn your darkness to light,
A day of hope after a blackened night.

It can only come true at the end of my life,
When the new day dawns and the time is right.
With my death I give life to another,
A world of grey to a world of colour.

What I no longer need will be used once more,
And they will laugh as I did before.
Their eyes will stare and their heart will beat,
And they will feel the ground beneath their feet.

They will hear your voice in their ears,
And have no need to wipe away your tears.
For you will be happy with what you see,
I have set a suffering person free.

Written by Jessica Toogood

Ramadan

18/6/2014

We cannot hope to understand a religion without having knowledge of their key traditions. One of the Five Pillars of Islam for example (the five duties that all Muslims should try to fulfil), is often misunderstood by people outside of the Muslim community. This is Ramadan, which occurs on the ninth month of the Muslim Calendar. It is a time for people to reflect upon those who lead less fortunate lives; and to consider what can be done to help them. It is also the month that the Holy Qur’an was revealed to Muhammad which gives Muslims a chance to reflect on their devotion to Allah and the Holy Prophet. Both these themes are demonstrated through fasting. There must be no eating or drinking in daylight hours for the whole month. Muslims wake up extra early to eat before sunrise, and also have a meal after sunset, allowing a deeper understanding of what other human beings around the world may experience. It is also a chance for the Muslim community to come together, and celebrate their faith on a global scale. When teaching about Ramadan, it is essential that the true meaning behind the tradition comes across to the students. With so much misrepresentation of Islam in the media, religious education can be used to provide a light in a dark tunnel of ignorance.

TrueTube has provided a lesson plan and film which stresses the definition of Ramadan, why the fast is done, and how the achievement is celebrated at the end of the month. The lesson plan provides a range of activities, each demonstrating a different theme involved in this Islamic tradition. The film explores the practicalities of Ramadan in the UK by asking a range of young Muslim’s about their personal experience of the celebration. I can still remember being a young girl and not completely understanding why some of my friends fasted. As I grew up and learnt about the depth of Ramadan and why it is practised, my confusion turned into admiration. It takes a lot of strength to resist temptation, especially when the temptation is surrounding you every single day. It is with resources like this, that such tolerance and admiration can be passed on to the next generation.

Speaker's School council awards

12/6/2014

My birthday this year was certainly one to remember. I was walking to work in the middle of a roasting London, soaking up the sunshine we’ve all been waiting for, just as I had done for the past few days. However yesterday was slightly different to my normal day at work. It was my twenty third birthday and I was invited to an event which has left a big smile on my face ever since. The Speakers School Council Awards is an annual event hosted at the Houses of Parliament. It is a chance for students across the UK to raise their voices and be acknowledged for their creativity within different school council projects. The categories are split into four groups covering the age ranges four to nineteen. I arrived early afternoon, where I was escorted through the Houses of Parliament to where the ceremony would take place. The magnificently decorated room was packed with overwhelmed children, enthusiastic teenagers and nattering adults. We were all waiting for the award ceremony to begin. The Speaker RT Hon John Bercow MP, hosted the event and made everybody feel at ease. I’m sure like myself, many of the people in the audience had been curious to know what it was like inside this beautifully secretive building and I don’t think anybody went away disappointed.

The winners were announced one group at a time, and were given the recognition and praise they deserve. Students from each group found the courage to do a thank you speech, each one as humble and flawless as the next. The range of different projects was inspiring in itself. From over 700 entries, the winning projects covered themes such as job training, the environment and mental health. Even though I did not know any of the students personally, I felt an overwhelmingly proud of each and every one of them. It has certainly made me proud to have a job within the education sector where the creativity of the next generation has room to flourish.

Refugee Week

10/6/2014

The world of media has always had an incredible influence on society. The positive and negative connotations arguably outweigh each other depending on what angle you take. Sources such as the internet, television and radio have given human beings the ability to spread factual news on a global scale. This method of keeping everybody connected has undoubtedly allowed humanity to evolve and unite on a personal level. However, when this power is abused and manipulated, the consequences can be devastating. Through the use of ignorance and propaganda, hatred can thrive, ruining the lives of millions of people in many different ways. Of course, having access to the news is a necessity if we want to make a contribution to the world, but it is also important to think for ourselves before believing every single headline we read. Stereotyping can play a big part in the media, leading to the generalisation of a group of people just from a few particular cases. We must remember people are individuals, not a vague face amongst a crowd. Until we know the full story, we should not jump to conclusions.

The mistreatment of refugee’s within this country is mainly to do with this classic form of stereotyping. The true definitions of the terms refugee, asylum seeker and illegal immigrant often get confused, leading to a cloudy stigma around the subject area as a whole. The term refugee is in fact, somebody who has had to flee their home because they are in danger and an asylum seeker literally translates as somebody seeking sanctuary. An Illegal immigrant is someone who has come into the country without telling the authorities or has stayed longer than they were legally allowed to. Before we judge, we must try to understand how we would feel in such a position. When people around the world are lost, confused and frightened, they will hopefully experience the kindness of others and not the cold face of prejudice.

In celebration of Refugee Week, TrueTube has provided a range of resources on the matter. The assembly script focuses on a few main themes. Mainly who refugees are, why they seek asylum in Britain and what happens when they arrive here. It also celebrates the contribution refugees have made to the British culture and stresses the importance of thinking for ourselves. The activity within the script will allow your students to reflect on what it might feel like to have nowhere to go whilst the debate provides a deeper understanding of what sanctuary is all about. The two accompanying films tell the personal stories of two people who have personally gone through such experiences and what it felt like when they first arrived in Britain. If you want your students to have a better understanding of why some people seek refuge, then these are the resources for you.

what is humanism?

5/6/2014

The notion that religion and morality are inseparable has been at the forefront of philosophical debate ever since philosophy stamped its mark on the human mind. The deep connection between morality and religion cannot be denied because it is apparent within politics even to this day. The laws of the country were founded on the teachings of the Bible, and though they have been built on, those foundations remain. This is no surprise considering most worldwide religions contain ethical guidelines in their sacred texts. Even though there is little doubt that morality and religion have been interlinked throughout history, the notion that they are indivisible is less certain. There are many religious and non-religious people alike who stand by morally good principles just as there are many religious and non-religious people who neglect moral values and commit terrible crimes. This highlights the concept that morality can exist without religion, finding its origins within the evolution of human intelligence rather than a revelation from God. An atheist or agnostic can live an empathetic life by drawing meaning from the world around them and the people in it. Just as a religious person can live a compassionate life by drawing meaning from their faith. Respect and understanding can come from both sides.

Humanists believe that human beings can intrinsically know what’s right and wrong without turning towards religion. Humanism attempts to understand human existence by studying science on an evolutional and psychological level. Many people think that life without religion is meaningless, unscrupulous and frightening. People can feel lost without ethical guidelines set out by a supreme authority. Humanism offers a path for those people who do not believe in God, but still believe in the importance of good moral values and a good community. TrueTube has provided a short film which encompasses the key ideas involved. Focusing on the core values and traditions, this film offers the perfect introduction to such an intriguing belief system. Time to get the critical thinking caps on.

Money money money

3/6/2014

We all know the saying, ‘Money makes the world go round.’ We also all know (hopefully) that this is not really true. Human beings survived on this planet long before notes and coins ever came about. Nevertheless, the process of trade has been an essential part of human life since the the earliest civilisations. Even though our distant ancestors did not use credit cards or set up bank accounts, they traded commodities, emphasising the importance of exchange amongst a functioning society. Its significance still underlines the food we eat, the water we drink, the roof over our heads and the clothes that we wear. Not to mention all the luxuries we take for granted. Even though money is not the most important thing in life, it is always useful to be aware of the dangers and functionalities of the financial world from an early age. By including money management in the curriculum, we are offering students the support and knowledge that may not have been so available for the generations before.

TrueTube has provided an assembly script, an accompanying PowerPoint presentation and five films in celebration of Money Week. The assembly script offers two activities which reflect on the dangers of debt and how important it is to have self control when buying what we want and need. It also offers ten useful tips on how to manage money and how smiley salesmen may not always be as kind as they seem. The films also explore the dangers of debt, different perspectives on finance and how to manage money sensibly . When I was at school, there was nowhere near as much emphasis on finance as there is today. If it was built into the curriculum the way it is now in many schools, I think my generation would have felt a lot more confident when taking the first independent steps into the big wide world. My generation relied on the teaching of parents, not the lessons at school. Of course, personal finance is something that should be taught by your parents when you’re growing up, but additional support found at school can only be a good thing.

Guru Arjan’s Martydom

29/5/2014

The principle of equality is timeless. But although the true meaning of an ethical principle can be unchangeable, it does not mean it can’t be be ignored and abused. Humanity has a long and painful history of oppressing different groups of people. This has led to the suffering and death of those who have had the courage to stand up for what they believe in. We live in a society where people of different cultures and faiths often live amongst each other, emphasising the importance of equality.

The importance of equality can be found at the very heart of Sikhism. The faith was founded in the 16th century, making it the youngest major world religion. It was begun by the first leader, Guru Nanak who shaped its teachings, as did the nine Gurus who succeeded him. The story behind the life and sad death of the fifth leader, Guru Arjan, is still celebrated today. This brave man spent his life expressing the importance of equality until he was challenged by a cruel emperor who could not grasp such concepts of tolerance and compassion. When Guru Arjan refused to abandon his faith, he was tortured and sentenced to death. This religious leader showed true courage by putting his beliefs before anything else. The legacy of this martyr lives on through the Sikh community and is celebrated every year on the 16th of June.

TrueTube have provided a range of resources which can be used when teaching this important part of Sikhism. The assembly script tells the story of Guru Arjan’s death, the significance of equality within the religion, the Sikh holy book and the building of the Golden Temple. It also provides an activity which demonstrates the importance of treating each other with respect. The film however, focuses on a virtual tour of a Gurdwara, given by a young Sikh called Ramanjot who takes the camera around the holy building, pointing out the key features. These resources are perfect if you want to convey the core principles of this religion and spark up thought-provoking discussion amongst your class.