You can make a real difference

Inclusive Minds is a collective and we want you to come together with us to create something really special.

In the children's book world we've been talking about diversity and inclusion for years, and although more recently there's been some positive concrete action, in many ways we're still going round in circles about the causes, the problems, the challenges and the need for real change. 

Now you can make that change happen!

We're running a crowdfunding campaign to create a unique resource that will help transform children's books by ensuring authentic representation of marginalised young people, as well as giving them a voice in book creation.

You can make a real difference. By supporting the Inclusive Minds crowdfunding campaign, you can help ensure that children’s books include a diverse range of characters who are truly authentic. 

We've got an exciting range of perks for backers, and those who contribute in the first few days* of the project will also be entered into a draw to receive an exclusive goody pack - a limited edition Inclusive Minds tote bag with various goodies, including a signed Malorie Blackman book and a limited edition artwork print.

*Only those who donate before midnight on Thursday 2nd March 2017 will be eligible for the draw.

The project

With your support, we will develop an extensive network of ambassadors for inclusion. Young people with lived experience of marginalisation who can share their unique expertise (covering all facets of diversity) with the book world. 

Authors, illustrators and publishers will be able to contact us with ideas, questions or manuscripts that they wish to discuss with relevant young people. We will share the opportunity with our network and make connections*. Ambassadors may also be available to speak at events and in response to news stories.

* For child protection, under 18s will be contacted via a parent or carer

The added bonus

As well as giving marginalised young people a real voice, involvement in the network will provide insight to and experience of the publishing industry, hopefully making them feel it is a place where they can belong, and in which they can play a valuable part. This in turn should help to diversify the children's book world of the future.

The benefits to the young people on the ambassador scheme are many and varied, as well as being valuable work experience that may lead to references and further work experience. We’ll encourage those using the network to give back to ambassadors, and some of the benefits they might receive are listed on our website.
 

What we need and what you get:

£4,000 will fund Inclusive Minds to expand the pilot project into a broad network by recruiting young people (up to the age of 30) from an extremely diverse range of backgrounds and cover the administration and promotion of the network for two years. The funding will enable the basic network service to be free of charge, but should relationships develop or lead to more official consultation or sensitivity reading, the network user and ambassador would be expected to introduce and agree fees.

Contributors can choose from a menu of exciting perks, including a mention on our wall of thanks, thank you messages from ambassadors, authors and illustrators, signed books, and inclusive book artwork and prints.

You can also take pride in the fact that you are helping to create a unique resource that will change the face of children's books.

The impact

We know from experience that authentic representation has a huge impact on children from marginalised backgrounds who may be seeing themselves in a book for the first time. It's also vital for ALL children to see a diverse range of characters in books.

A successful pilot has proved the value of such a resource:
Author Robin Stevens contacted us last year as she was planning to include a British Hindu character in a forthcoming book. Although she had already done plenty of research, she wanted to consult people from a British Hindu background to ensure authenticity. We found several willing candidates in our pilot team of ambassadors – young British Hindus with very real and very relevant experience.

The result was a fully rounded character in Robin’s book, and a hugely valuable experience for several young people. Robin tells us:

'It's important to research every aspect of your book, but sometimes research is no substitute for experience. I am so grateful to Inclusive Minds for putting me in touch with young readers from a British Hindu background, who helped me ensure that the portrayal of my detective George was not only accurate, but rang true.'

Other ways you can help

If you cannot donate, there are still many ways you can help. Inclusive Minds is a collective and you can be part of it and make a difference. 

• Spread the word about our crowdfunding campaign, use the tools below to share it on social media sites and encourage people to support us
• Help us find ambassadors to join the network
• Donate a reward for our crowdfunding campaign