Two of the reasons why being a writer in residence is a privilege

Although there are many reasons why I feel it is a privilege to be the writer in residence for Portsmouth libraries I am going to focus on just two of them in this post. Last week I explained that I would be spending all day in a primary school leading 30 minute long WeLL What’s Your Story? sessions for each year group and, that as this was the first school I had attempted this with, I was feeling a bit anxious. However, the day couldn’t have gone better! Altogether 314 students attended the workshops during the school day, and in teams created 52 stories, poems and even a 1 act play. Each individual had a distinct role to play within the team and it was an absolute privilege to see their faces glow with the excitement of being in charge of helping to nurture their team story, poem or play as it grew into something special.

I want one too!

There was also keen interest in the new children’s library card and lots of application forms taken home for their parent’s approval.

Along with the WeLL What’s Your Story? school events and public drop in sessions I am also doing closed sessions with numerous community support groups. The first of these sessions is Monday 5th March with Mind – the charity for better mental health.  Both the staff and service users have been very receptive and excited about their forthcoming WeLL What’s Your Story? session. This has reinforced the feeling that I am incredibly privileged to be in a  position to be provide something to groups such as this along with the rest of the Portsmouth residents.

The WeLL What’s Your Story? public drop in dates for the first half of the year are posted here and the full programme of events (including school and other closed sessions) is posted here.