08 July 2011

Sophie Lancaster Inspires Tolerance Game For UK Schools

Those of you familiar with Illamasqua will know all about Sophie Lancaster and the foundation set up in her memory S.O.P.H.I.E. Stamp Out Prejudice, Hatred and Intolerance, Everywhere. Three years ago, Sophie Lancaster and her boyfriend Rob Maltby, were savagely beaten by a gang of youths, simply because they chose to dress 'differently'. Sophie died from her injuries.



Now, Sophie’s mother and youth worker, Sylvia Lancaster, are launching an educational game into schools to show young people how to be more tolerant and open minded to accept people, despite lifestyle or appearance. 30 game cards represent many common ethnic, religious and social groups and subcultures; players are set a series of tasks, which challenge preconceptions and encourage development in problem solving and team working skills.

Sylvia Lancaster, Sophie’s mother, have pioneered and worked towards launching this scheme since Sophie death, says: “To teach young people to be tolerant of others is giving them a crucial skill that will enable them to get on in life. Working many years as a youth worker has taught me that one of the biggest stumbling blocks for young people with aspirations is their inability to understand or relate to people from different walks of life to them. Our game should show them simple techniques that help them break through this barrier”.

The game will launch initially as a pilot scheme on Friday 8th July at Kidbrooke Secondary School, Greenwich, London, where Sylvia Lancaster will guest host a game session. The ultimate aim is for the game to be widely used by teachers in PSE classes throughout the nation on a long-term basis.

Sylvia says: ”This game has been my dream since 2007, and it is one of the key things we, as a charity, can do to ensure my daughter didn’t die in vain. If this scheme can make young people stop and think twice about judging others on appearance that will be a massive accomplishment for our society. I am delighted to be launching the game at Kidbrooke, its creative ethos is perfect for the Foundation.”

For further information about the game or the work carried out by The Sophie Lancaster Foundation, please visit www.sophielancasterfoundation.comwww.sophielancasterfoundation.com

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