Eastleigh college holds week-long equality and diversity celebration

‘A Week in Our Shoes’ included live performances, lectures, and exhibitions to raise awareness and education on everything from religion to disability.

It was organised by sociology teacher and equality, diversity and inclusion coordinator at the college, Dina de Sousa e Santos.

She said: “A Week in Our Shoes was all about promoting diversity, enriching the cultural experiences of all our students and providing an introduction to areas of academic study and research that they may not have considered.

“Overall it was a great achievement which seemed to generate its own momentum. The aim was to start celebrating our differences using two of the points that clearly unite us - the desire to learn and love of music.”

Above: Students take part in an African drumming workshop

Beliefs and Tolerance Monday looked at religious cults, the early stages of life, social work and interfaith dialogue, through music with speakers from the London School of Economics and the universities of Chichester, Portsmouth and Winchester.

Tuesday was about multiculturalism with a programme that put university academics alongside illegal migrant workers from Haslar Detention Centre, Cuban salsa sessions and African dance and drumming workshops.

Gender and Sexuality took the midweek slot, with speakers including Guardian journalist Lara Pawson and Dr Ed Morrison from the University of Portsmouth. They explored everything from transgender issues to the law’s recognition of individual sexuality and the psychology of beauty and facial attractiveness.

Thursday raised awareness of learning disabilities and sensory loss, and the end of the week looked at age and the psychology of ageing, and the involvement of young people in politics.

A Week in our Shoes also incorporated Barton Peveril’s annual Enrichment and Wellbeing Fair, when outside organisations and college clubs and societies recruit members and volunteers.