Who am I? Who are we? Where do we live? How can we all live well together?
These are vital questions for children and young people in the UK who are negotiating an increasingly complex society. A key driver of stereotyping, misunderstanding, fear and prejudice is lack of contact with people different to ourselves.
The Linking Network inspires and equips schools to support children and young people to build meaningful connections across all forms of difference.
Our work is made possible by a vibrant network of local area facilitators, schools, cultural and community organisations, teachers and other partners from across the country.
4 ways we can work with you
1. Schools Linking
Build links between schools and help students connect with others from different backgrounds in the local area.
Schools Linking2. Intergenerational Linking
Bring younger and older people together to share time, experiences, stories, and build connections.
Intergenerational Linking3. SMSC Training
Access guidance and training to enhance the delivery of SMSC development in your school or teacher training setting
SMSC Training4. Teaching Resources
Classroom resources created by teachers supporting SMSC, Social Action, PSHE and Citizenship.
Teaching ResourcesEach year, we reach over:
26,000
children and young people in 25 Local Authority Areas, 890 classes and 545 schools, through Schools Linking.
2,500
children and young people from 75 schools in Bradford and other areas through Intergenerational Linking.
200,000
children and young people through our programmes, resources, training and guidance which are created for teachers by teachers.
Our impact
We have over 20 years of experience creating authentic and practical ways for schools to support children and young people to build meaningful connections across all forms of difference.
Our work:
1. Develops confidence in contact across difference
Linking unlocks positive feelings about cross-group interactions and builds respect for others; broadening social groups with whom pupils interact and reducing misperceptions, fear, stereotyping and prejudice
2. Supports educational achievement
Our programmes are embedded in the curriculum and rooted in effective pedagogy; children and young people develop key life skills and attitudes which will help improve their life chances such as empathy, resilience, critical thinking, and communication
3. Builds active citizenship and community engagement
We stimulate high-quality social action which unlocks young people’s vision of themselves and others as active citizens. This develops their understanding of ways to contribute to their communities and wider society
4. Promotes more inclusive communities
Children and young people are supported to share their linking journeys with their families and school communities. These shared experiences contribute to social cohesion at a school and local authority level
Watch our video to see the difference we make
