'Unique and Wonderful': Supporting Afro Hair, Skin, and Identity in Your School Community
"Unique and Wonderful: Our Hair, Our Skin, Our Identity" is an engaging and practical workshop designed to help schools create environments where every child feels seen, understood, and valued. Children and young people across Norfolk have shared how important it is for the adults around them to understand the unique needs of Afro-textured hair and melanin-rich skin— needs that directly influence their confidence, sense of identity, and everyday wellbeing. Originally designed and delivered to Children's Services colleagues it gave attendees the confidence to:
"Have more of an understanding in relation to Afro hair."
"Share the new information I have learned with the people who need it."
"Keep advocating and sharing knowledge. Knowledge (like Afro hair) is power!"
In response to feedback from the children and young people we are delighted to offer this workshop to schools and other educational settings.
During this session, attendees will:
- Explore the cultural and historical significance of Afro hair and skin care.
- Understand how hair and skin care practices support identity, belonging, and self-esteem.
- Learn about inclusive products, tools, and approaches suitable for school settings.
- Discover resources that can enhance and enrich your school's culture, curriculum and practice.
- Reflect on how to advocate for and meet children's needs across education, care, and health contexts.
Real stories from Norfolk's children and young people bring these themes to life, offering insight into the emotional and practical impact of inclusive care.
How this session supports statutory duties
This workshop directly strengthens your school's responsibilities by:
- Safeguarding: Enhancing staff awareness of neglect, identity-based harm, and the emotional impact of unmet cultural care needs, supporting safer, more attuned practice.
- Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED): Equipping schools to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations by addressing the specific needs of pupils with Afro‑textured hair and melanin‑rich skin.
- RSHE: Supporting high quality teaching on identity, self‑respect, personal hygiene, and healthy relationships by ensuring staff understand and can confidently discuss diverse hair and skin care needs.
The workshop will be delivered by Mercy Addai and Alice Ndiaye via MS Teams
- Date: 8 July 2026
- Time: 15:45 - 17:00
- Bookable: It is fully funded and can be booked here.
If you have any questions about wider Equalities, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (EDIB), please explore our service page or call 0333 313 7165. This phone line is open on weekdays, from 9am to 5pm.
If your query relates to training, please email [email protected]
