Stigma Toolkit Launch.
Stigma Toolkit - Thinking about stigma - promoting inclusive practice across Fife
On 19th April 2023 at Beveridge Park Hotel, over 70 practitioners, stakeholders, families and young people attended the launch of the Stigma toolkit - an interactive guide to help and facilitate conversations and better understanding of the effects that Stigma can have.
This toolkit was developed as an aid to support thinking and challenging stigma at a local level to help improve outcomes for families. It was designed as part of a project by Making it Work for Families (MIWFF). This is a partnership project that brings together staff from Fife Gingerbread, Clued Up, Citizens Advice & Rights Fife and Fife Intensive Rehabilitation & Substance Use Team.
Developed with The Poverty Alliance, the toolkit was shaped by the experiences of young people and their families in Fife. The event included using elements of the toolkit in practice, speakers from Poverty Alliance, Fife Gingerbread, and funders Capital City Partnership. Most importantly, the families and young people presented their thoughts and their experience of Stigma in their lives.
The event also played a slideshow created by families which you can watch on YouTube here - MIWFF Stigma toolkit launch event photo slideshow - YouTube
The aim of producing the toolkit is to help agencies start discussions and highlight the impact of Stigma and the words we use. Challenging practices, highlighting the importance of systems change and language choice in support roles as well as our personal lives is vital to make sure that people are treated fairly and the families we support feel understood and included.
The response from those who attended was overwhelmingly positive and proved the need for sharing this work. Practitioners have already asked for us to take this forward with their teams, and some have already started to work on staff meetings.
‘We’ve shared the toolkit with our team, they are going to share within their projects.’
‘Amazing toolkit and cannot wait to help roll this out’
‘An excellent way to build discussion and interactive with others.’
NHS Health Promotion will be running workshops using the toolkit throughout Fife and will have the toolkit available online.