Stepping out with the launch of the Umbrella Project on Shiprow. Image - Aberdeen Inspired
Summer has arrived in a blaze of glory – and so has Aberdeen’s inspirational Umbrella Project.
Crowds flocked to Shiprow on Saturday to be part of the all-singing, all-dancing launch of the initiative which will celebrate and raise awareness of neurodiversity over the summer months, with a canopy of brightly-coloured brollies.
Hundreds of people were entertained by a range of local performers at the ceremony, said Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, which stages the Umbrella Project in partnership with the ADHD Foundation, sponsored by local companies including Harbour Energy, TMM Recruitment and CNR International.
The Umbrella Project which will run until September is a tribute to the “umbrella” term of neurodiversity, which includes ADHD, autism, Tourette's Syndrome, dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyspraxia.
Adrian said: “It was both humbling and uplifting to see so many people come along and be so richly entertained at the return of the Umbrella Project. It was a fantastic morning, full of laughter, fun and inspiration –even the sun was persuaded to come out and add some summer warmth to proceedings.
“Not only will the brilliant umbrellas brighten the historic Shiprow for the next few months, they will also raise awareness about neurodiversity in our city and just how much those who are neurodiverse – one in five of us – add to the rich community and life of Aberdeen.”
Performers who took part in the launch included the Robert College Pipe Band, Citymoves Dance Agency, Music 4 U, and Aberdeen Art Centre’s own Castlegate Theatre Company who belted out a selection of show tunes inspired by West End musicals.
Also in the mix was the appropriately named Umbrella A Capella, a city-based inclusive choir for neurodivergent individuals, whose “everybody can sing” approach saw the public being involved in the fun, too.
Aberdeen Inspired was also delighted to work with with local accessibility charity We Too! on the event. We Too! provided a sensory space at the event for anyone who needed, with several of their ‘Ninjas’ attending to lend a helping hand and support those attending.
Speakers at the event - supported by the Shiprow Village - included Adrian Watson, as well as Councillor Martin Greig, culture spokesperson for Aberdeen City Council, and Mavis Anagboso, Global Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Harbour Energy.
The Umbrella Project doesn’t just start and finish with the Shiprow display. Schools and businesses are being asked to take part and create their own mini-installations to celebrate the intelligence and ability of every human being.
You can find out more about the Umbrella Project – including a range of resources around neurodiversity – plus how to sign up for your own mini-installation by visiting Aberdeen Inspired’s Umbrella Project 2024 website.
Umbrella Project Launch 2024
