Storytelling and Well Being

Inspire 2

Following the success of Inspire 1, the new project will be 'Inspiring Leith', concentrating work with adults in the Leith area. We'll be working with Bethany, Alma, YMCA, The Cyrenians and The Rock Trust, and there's a particular emphasis on songwriting, opening up possibilities for folk who are interested in words as well as music. The project will last for a year and I am delighted to be involved once again telling stories, singing and making music! Jenny Gardener has the drums out and Gica Loening is on a mission to get us all strumming ukes!

See http://www.scotsmusic.org/community for further details

Awards for All Reading Champions

An exciting new project has been devised by the dynamic Yvonne Manning at Falkirk Council. Claire McNicol and I will be providing the storytelling input in the style of our successful project for South Lanarkshire several years ago.

This project aims to improve long term opportunities for looked after and accommodated young people in the Falkirk Council area to access story, reading, books and the services libraries can offer. The project will work with vulnerable young people aged 11-18 years. This project aims to increase their creativity, confidence, functional literacy and encourage reading for enjoyment.

A programme of activities will be developed and led by storytellers and animators. Professionals from the arts including authors, poets, musicians will be invited to input, all contributing their expertise to helping the young people tell their story and to produce a film. It is hoped that the goal of producing and showing a film to tell their story will offer an opportunity to give this group of young people a voice.

October 2012