East Staffordshire Racial Equality Council is continuing with its ‘Interfaith Awareness’project. This highly successful project began in a very small way with donations from PASS and SCC’s Local Member’s Initiative Fund and grew from there. The project is once again funded by East Staffordshire Borough Council.

What is a Faith Trail?

Anglesey Junior School took part in the very first faith trail. They also had a follow up workshop in their class.

We take a party of pupils (normally about 30) to Derby where they can visit 4 places of worship all within walking distance of each other. They are a Sikh Gurdwara, a Hindu Temple, a Muslim Mosque and a Christian Church. At each of these places the pupils are escorted by ESREC’s coordinator and a faith representative from the place they are visiting.

These representatives will answer any questions the children pose. The faith representatives often comment on the very surprising and adult questions the young children ask. The trail ends with food for them to taste. After lunch, if the school has requested it, the children can take part in a workshop about the trail.

What purpose does a Faith Trail serve?

Many children have little or no knowledge of a faith other than their own. ESREC believes that the faith trail gives the pupils an understanding they would not normally have. It makes them more aware of other ethnicities and as they grow into adults they are far less likely to be critical of different ethnicities.

It is not only the school children who have thoroughly enjoyed the trail and gained knowledge. The teachers, assistants and parents who have accompanied the pupils
have been full of praise for the experience.

In the academic year September 2010 to July 2011 ESREC took 1686 pupils, 117 teachers, 45 class room assistants and 28 parents on the trail.

“Thank you for offering us this splendid opportunity to enhance the pupils’ knowledge and understanding of different religions. All the year 5 staff hope to go again next year”

William Shrewsbury School

“With many thanks for the wonderful opportunity for our year 4 pupils – much appreciated”

Picknalls First School

“We really are so delighted to be able to take part in the trail again this year”

Grange Community School.

Schools are not the only ones to take part and enjoy the faith trail. Following a request, some Magistrates took part in the trail together with members from other local organisations. We are hoping to arrange another for those who could not make it to the last one. This trail was so successful we are currently discussing with some organisations, the possibility of this being part of staff training.

Val Richards, Team Leader from Targeted Youth who went on one of the trails said “I have already started telling my contacts to try to book on it”

If you would like to learn more about the faith trail or would like to go on one, please contact the ESREC office on 01283 510456. Fax 01283 740900 or email administration@eaststaffsrec.co.uk