Kate Forbes, MSP, and Scottish Minister, visited the Dingwall Heartstone office on Friday 27th to meet and congratulate Joolz Christie (right) and Amy Macaskill (left) on successfully leading the Dingwall Library Story Circle to a grand success, now spreading across the country following their lead.
Hector Mackenzie, writing for the Ross-shire Journal said: A Story Circle paving the way for greater understanding about prejudice and racism is set to inspire similar projects around the country. The Heartstone Story Circle at Dingwall Library resulted in art and poetry being created by young participants and displayed. It has inspired similar schemes in Manchester, Lancashire and London and is now set to spread to other libraries. Dingwall-based MSP Kate Forbes visited the project office in Dingwall this week andhailed the “pioneering” work taking place in the town.
She said: ‘Heartstone reading groups tackle issues like racism in a way that helps children to understand what is right and wrong themselves. It has been used effectively in many schools, but this is the first time it has been delivered in a library. I’d like to pay tribute to the librarians who deliver this.’
Sitakumari, director of Heartstone, said: ‘I am delighted the very first library-based Story Circle took shape in Dingwall, the home of Heartstone, and has been such a success. We look forward to seeing this project spread to libraries throughout the land!’
Joolz, who led the Dingwall Library Story Circle, together with Amy presented what they had done to Kate Forbes. A Scottish Parliament event is now scheduled for the January 2020 which will see the project introduced to MSPs and Ministers from across Scotland. Next week, first Library-based Heartstone Story Circle starts in Oldham, England following the Scottish lead.
Photos on this page: Callum Mackay
