Can you share your experience of lived religion and worldviews with Cumbria’s school children?

Can you share your experience of lived religion and worldviews with Cumbria’s school children?

Mar 30, 2021

An exciting new collaborative project - Cumbria Virtual Voices in Religious Education - is asking for your help!

Cumbria Development Education Centre (CDEC) and Cumbria SACRE have launched Cumbria Virtual Voices in Religious Education with the aim of creating a facilitated and secure virtual platform where schools can meet and explore a range of ‘voices’ from a variety of religions and worldviews. 

Previously visitors came into school or pupils visited a place of worship in order to learn from different faiths. Now we see the need for other opportunities - a virtual platform where young people can meet and discuss with people who have a wider range of voices from religions in Britain (Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Sikhi) and other religious or non-religious worldviews, especially those with a local presence.  Such a platform will enrich students’ learning and understanding. 

Can you contribute your voice and lived experience of your religion and worldview?

CDEC and Cumbria SACRE are asking for people who can contribute their authentic ‘voice’. 

If you want to share your voice, you will be filmed, talking about your lived experience of your religion and worldview. The conversations and discussions may be live or recorded - respect, privacy and confidentiality will be paramount. Are you someone who could help us? 

We are looking for:

  • volunteers who are happy to share what belief means in their lives, without proselytizing
  • a diverse range of volunteers with different backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, genders, abilities, from different religious and non-religious worldviews. We are keen to include voices from young people and minority groups
  • volunteers to join a ‘Cumbria community of Virtual Voices’. Training and support will be given for either short conversations or longer discussions live online with pupils.  

What would you gain from taking part?

  • Confidence in speaking about your religious or non-religious worldview. Develop your own voice and deeper understanding.
  • Connect with others - through online training opportunities, become part of a ‘Cumbria community of virtual voices’ who listen to, respect and explore others’ beliefs. 
  • Fulfilment in enriching the learning of young people and their future lives.  

“The VVRE project will provide the opportunity to connect with authentic ‘voices’ with local relevance to Cumbria which makes such encounters so much more meaningful for pupils and teachers.” Jane Yates, Chair of Cumbria SACRE, Philosophy 4 Children trainer, teacher.

If you would like to explore this opportunity further, or have any queries please contact Debbie Watson at CDEC at debbie@cdec.org.uk.

Read more about the project here

Virtual Voices in Religious Education is funded for 18 months by Culham St Gabriel's Trust.