Membership Spotlight highlights the work of our member organisations and outlines how other individuals and NGOs can support them. We are shining a light on Starcatchers, sharing information about #TheRightStart Conference on Human Rights Day!
Starcatchers is Scotland’s Arts and Early Years organisation. For the last 18 years we have produced exceptional, innovative arts and creative experiences for Scotland’s youngest children, and their parents and carers. Our vision is that Scotland’s youngest children, those from birth – 5 years old realise their rights through arts and creative experiences that bring joy and wonder, igniting curiosity in early childhood.
When the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child was incorporated into domestic law in Scotland earlier this year, it was a landmark moment for ALL children and young people, including babies.
So, what does this mean for Scotland’s babies?
Babies’ rights feel complicated and complex. Here at Starcatchers, we recognise the opportunity to start a conversation around what babies’ rights could look and feel like in Scotland, what this means for parents, carers and professionals, and how the arts and creative experiences have a powerful role to play in the realisation of rights for babies.
On Thursday 6th March 2025, Starcatchers will be presenting #TheRightStart, a conference exploring babies’ rights, their voice and the arts, in partnership with Together (Scottish Alliance for Children’s Rights) and Children in Scotland. This will be a moment to come together to begin exploring this question. We will hear from researchers, artists, and experts sharing perspectives and best-practice to support the realisation of babies’ rights and amplify their voice.
#TheRightStart Conference will aim to challenge ideas and practices and inspire new ways of thinking at a grassroots level. There will be opportunities for bite-sized introductions to various projects locally, nationally and internationally, to participate in sessions interrogating specific themes, and to hear from an exciting line-up of speakers and keynote addresses.
What are the benefits of being a Together member?
Working in partnership with a range of organisations, who all represent a real diversity of the lived experience of the very youngest children and their families in Scotland, offers us all an invaluable opportunity to work together to affect real change. Being offered opportunities such as participating in Together (Scottish Alliance for Children’s Rights) The Rights Detectives programme, means we can take meaningful and impactful steps together towards the realisation of rights for babies, toddlers and very young children.
A bit of background – Starcatchers and the Voice of the Baby in Practice
In 2022, Starcatchers and Dr Rachel Drury, with Research Assistant Claire Ruckert of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, began work on a major new piece of research: Towards an Arts-based Methodology for Participation for Pre-verbal and Non-verbal Children.
Phase one of this research project involved conversations with artists, cultural venues, and organisations across Scotland. We wanted to understand what practices already exist in the industry for listening to the voice of the youngest children in arts settings.
Alongside a literature review as part of this phase, we identified a strong shared understanding between early years artists of what the ‘voice’ of the child might mean, and how to offer an inclusive space for pre-and non-verbal participants. We began phase two of the research in early 2023, with Dr Caralyn Blaisdell from Queen Margaret University joining the team.
The Reflective Guide that has been developed by Dr Rachel Drury, Dr Caralyn Blaisdell is now available on Starcatchers’ website, alongside our suite of in-practice resources to support the implantation of this approach in engagement work across sectors with babies and their grown-ups.
Tickets for #TheRightStart are now on sale – book now to secure your space.
Sign-Up and Become a Together Member (Individual or Organisational)
- Would you like to find out further information about joining Together’s Membership? Then visit our website page ‘Become a Member’ for further information.
- Are you a Together organisational member and would like to collaborate for a Membership Spotlight? Email: caitlin@togetherscotland.org.uk
#RightsOnTrack
- Our #RightsOnTrack campaign will provide you more about our campaign and register to our mailing list.
Donate To Us Today!
Donate to Together and help us to promote children’s rights in Scotland and improve the lives of all babies, children and young people.
Together (Scottish Alliance for Children's Rights) 