ASPIRE Dundee

Civilisation

Tackling child poverty: building self-confidence and self-esteem through cultural activities

Child poverty can undermine health, wellbeing and educational attainment. ASPIRE Dundee is an ambitious project working with around 3,500 children in thirteen primary school communities in some of the most disadvantaged areas of Dundee. ASPIRE Dundee is using a range of cultural activities including dance, drama and music, as an innovative way of tackling deprivation. The programme aims to improve health and wellbeing, increase learning and skills, challenge social inequalities and build self-confidence and self-esteem. It engages the whole family and the wider community. Young people involved experience first-hand opportunities to work and perform alongside professional artists and musicians and to attend professional performances. They are taught using a flexible and individual approach both in school and in the wider community. The programme uses the transformative power of performing arts to increase and develop the pupils’ personality and potential, while challenging inequalities and the effects of poverty.