Respectme

• Lucy - who goes to a non denominational school and who goes to the Church of Scotland and Sunday school.
• Niamh - who goes to a Catholic school and who goes to Mass on a Sunday
• Attiq - a Muslim boy who goes to a Catholic school

All three characters were introduced as Scottish children who lived in Bridge Street. The focus for the stories was a birthday party that children from both schools were invited to. 
The dolls and their stories involved the children in problem solving and planning a celebration. The children discussed the effects of name-calling, teasing and being excluded. Teachers in both schools reported that the children really engaged with the dolls and were able to identify inappropriate behaviour and language and offer solutions.

A leaflet was developed and communicated in advance of the initiative to parents to help them understand how the Dolls work and the purpose of the project itself.

The project ran for six weeks and raised the awareness of pupils, staff and parents/carers of the history, development and current manifestations of sectarianism and religious intolerance in Scotland.

For children the initiative:

• supported and empowered pupils to learn through anti-sectarianism education
• helped children to problem solve and to develop their emotional intelligence
• developed positive attitudes to people from a different religious and/or cultural background
• encouraged the pupils to understand, respect and value difference
• empowered children to identify and challenge unfair treatment and hurtful behaviour, including bullying behaviour

For staff:

• raised awareness of sectarianism in Scotland
• provided an opportunity for staff from both schools to meet and contribute to the development of the project
• empowered staff to use anti-sectarian education as a context for learning
• promoted Don't Give It Don't Take It, the Learning and Teaching Scotland-led anti-sectarianism online resource

For parents and carers:

• raised awareness of sectarianism in Scotland - past and present. An interactive workshop open to parents and carers from both schools was held in the local community centre and delivered by Nil by Mouth
• provided an opportunity for parents from both schools to make the Persona Dolls, enhancing parental involvement
• fostered community integration by engaging and involving parents from both schools