What a week it’s been — busy, impactful, and filled with meaningful conversations across our communities.
We were delighted to spend two full days in St Brigid’s Primary School in Downpatrick, working with P7 pupils on identity and culture. It was genuinely inspiring to see how deeply this school is embedding inclusion and amplifying young voices. The children shared thoughtful reflections on their own cultures and identities, and explored what it means to create belonging and acceptance as they prepare to transition into post-primary school. Their honesty, curiosity and care for one another stayed with us long after the sessions ended.
We also wrapped up our Children’s Mental Health Week workshops in partnership with Libraries NI, finishing with a lovely session in Ballyclare. Together, we created space for children to talk about feelings, community, and how to recognise and work through difficult emotions. These conversations matter so much — and it’s always a privilege to hold that space with young people.
At the weekend, we were back at East Block Bazaar for the monthly market. It was so special to connect with so many of you in person sharing stories, talking about the impact of inclusive books, and helping families, educators and community members find stories where every child can feel seen and valued. These moments of connection are at the heart of what we do.
Behind the scenes, it’s also been a busy week packing and sending out many book deliveries to local schools ahead of the spring break. Knowing these stories are making their way into classrooms and being placed into the hands of children across Northern Ireland means everything to us. [Download thenclusive Calendar |
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💛 Emotional Wellbeing Workshops 💛 |
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This week marks Trans Day of Visibility - a day dedicated to celebrating trans and non-binary people, while also raising awareness of the discrimination and barriers many still face.
For children and young people, representation is powerful. Seeing themselves reflected in stories - or learning about experiences different from their own - helps build empathy, understanding, and a stronger sense of belonging for everyone. Creating inclusive spaces means ensuring that all identities are acknowledged, respected and valued.
We’ve shared a curated list of books to support conversations around gender identity and inclusion — whether you’re a parent, educator, or simply looking to learn more. These stories offer gentle, age-appropriate ways to explore identity, celebrate diversity, and affirm that everyone deserves to be seen.
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Our calendars for 2026 continue to fill up, and we would love to work with more schools, organisations, and community groups next year.
🌈 Our Services Include:📚 Learning Through Story sessions for primary & post-primary
🎤 Staff Training & CPD on diversity, equity, active bystanding & allyship
👨🏽🏫 Workshops for children on identity, belonging, and inclusion
📘 Inclusive book curation, school library support & consultancy
🎙️ Speaking engagements, storytelling events & festival programming
💬 What People Say:⭐ “It was lovely to have you at our assemblies this morning. The pupils were captivated by the themes. The staff gave me such positive feedback and thoroughly enjoyed your stories too. ”
⭐ “Still I Rise has made a lasting impact on my journey towards becoming an antiracist ally.”
⭐ “We are looking forward to more next year!”
⭐ “Orla brings such warmth and depth – our pupils absolutely loved it.” |
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✨ Thank you as always for continuing to support Still I Rise – together, we are amplifying voices, bridging gaps, and helping children embrace the power of stories.✨
If you’d like to bring Still I Rise to your school, workplace, or community:
👉 Visit www.stillirisestories.org
👉 Or email us directly at stillir...@gmail.com
🌍 Together, let’s keep building a culture of empathy, equity, and inclusion. 🌍 |
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Wishing you a beautiful week. With gratitude,
Orla xox |
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| | Belfast, North of Ireland | |
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