A Bird’s Eye View on Hate Crime: Launch Event & Volunteer Reflections

Creative Stirling Volunteers, Tobi, Matthew, Nathaniel, and Quinn.

Last night, we hosted the launch event for “A Bird’s Eye View on Hate Crime”, a creative awareness campaign and animation developed by our volunteer group, in collaboration with local artist David Galletly and led by Creative Stirling.

The campaign officially launches today, during Hate Crime Awareness Week, marking the culmination of over six months of creative development and collaboration. The project explores where hate comes from, how it spreads, and how we can challenge it together. Using the metaphor of birds, symbols of freedom, diversity, and perspective, the animation encourages empathy, understanding, and safe action: to report, educate, and learn together to prevent hate.

Last night’s launch event took place in Gallery 1 at Creative Stirling Venue, where we celebrated the premiere of the animation and the opening of the exhibition. The evening brought together staff, volunteers, friends, and invited guests, including representatives from Police Scotland, the Central Scotland Regional Equality Council, LGBT Youth Scotland, Stirling Council’s Resettlement Team, Creative Stirling Board Members, and local councillors.

Guests enjoyed creative and group activities, delicious cakes and refreshments provided by The Kitchen at 44 King Street, and incredible live music from Iris Flower. It was a fantastic evening filled with conversation, connection, and creativity; a chance for people to come together, share experiences, and discuss how we can all work together to prevent hate.

We’re so proud of our volunteer team, whose hard work, imagination, and dedication made this campaign possible. Below, they share their reflections on the project: from its early ideas to the making of the animation, and what “A Bird’s Eye View on Hate Crime” means to them:

 What was the aim of the project? Why did we decide to make a campaign?

The aim was to prevent hate crimes, raise awareness, and let people know how to report them. Through the project, we decided to look deeper into why hate crimes happen and what we can all do to help prevent them.

Why did we decide to create an animation?

We chose animation because it’s the easiest and most creative way to show a hate crime without it being too heavy or upsetting for people. It’s also a great way to reach a wider audience, especially young people.

What were our early ideas for the animation?

Some of our early ideas included a café or coffee shop setting, slime characters (inspired by the LGBT ball T), planets, and birds.

We wanted characters that could tell a story without showing a specific person or group, so everyone could relate to it.

How did we come up with the final characters? Why birds?

We chose birds because they’re not human, which makes the story less triggering. There’s also something elegant and peaceful about birds. Nature is calming, and there are so many different species that we could show diversity through them.

We talked about doves and pigeons; they’re the same species but seen so differently, which really represents how society can judge people. We also looked at parrots, because they “parrot” what they hear, just like how people can repeat learned hate or prejudice without realising it.

Different birds mean different things to people. Crows are seen as brave, doves as pure, magpies as superstitious, and we began to explore how we could represent some of these perspectives in the animation.

How did we develop the storyline? Why does this one work?

We worked with our police inclusion officer, who advised us not to show the robin stepping in directly, but instead taking a supportive role. That’s because, in real life, people should stay safe and report incidents rather than put themselves at risk.

The idea of the birds “filling up with colour” shows how we’re all shaped by our environment; our families, communities, cultures, and beliefs.

The influenced bird starts to question and change its behaviour. It still keeps a bit of colour, showing that things we learn can stick with us, and we have to make a conscious effort to challenge and change our prejudices.

At the end, you see a whole community of birds, allies and all kinds of diversity, coming together and celebrating difference.

What was it like working with artist David Galletly?

Working with David Galletly was amazing. He really listened to our ideas and helped us bring them to life through animation. His style made our story stand out, and he made sure our voices stayed at the heart of it. We learned so much about the creative process, and it was inspiring to see our ideas become something real.

What was it like working with the Police Inclusion Officer?

Working with our Police Inclusion Officer, Rebecca, was really helpful. She gave us great advice on how to handle sensitive parts of the story and made sure our message was safe and accurate. They helped us understand more about how hate crimes are dealt with and how important it is to report them. It was great to know we had real guidance from someone with experience.

What do you hope the campaign does for people and the community?

We hope it helps people understand that their actions have consequences, and that words and behaviour really do affect others.
We also hope it encourages people to report hate crimes if they experience or witness one.

What can people do to prevent hate?

“Humans fear the things they don’t understand.” So it’s important to:

• Educate yourself and others.

• Report it when you see it.

• Watch our animation and share it.

• Support friends, organisations, and anyone affected.

• Use safety apps if you need to.

• Get to know people who are different from you, learn about other cultures and interests.

The more we understand each other, the less room there is for hate. 

What did it mean to be involved in the project?

For someone who has experienced hate crime, this project meant a lot. I finally felt like I had somewhere safe to go. It created a space where I felt supported and seen as a queer person.

It was amazing, and I hope this helps educate younger people and show them that support is out there. Hate is still happening, and I wish something like this existed when I was younger.

It’s powerful to be around people who understand, and as a queer person, have a space to go where I can be myself.

Next year, we hope to branch out and include an even wider audience with hopes to influence wider change, with the hope that “when we get to know each other, we treat each other better.”

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We’re so grateful to everyone who joined us for the launch and to all who supported this project along the way.

To learn more, please visit our campaign webpage, watch the animation, and find out more about the creative journey behind “A Bird’s Eye View on Hate Crime”: www.creativestirling.org/hate-crime-awareness-campaign

REPORT. EDUCATE. LEARN. TOGETHER WE PREVENT HATE.

Project funded by Youth Arts Open Fund and Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund.

Creative Stirling Volunteer, Tobi, working on the feather mural.

Creative Stirling Volunteers, Dream, Matthew, and Quinn, working on the bird murals.

Launch event.

Launch event.

Iris Flower performing at the launch event.