The Deep set to inspire next generation of writers with First Story

Dave Windass of First story and writer-in-residence Christina Lewis with students at Winifred Holtby Academy in Hull. Picture by Tom Arran.

A CHARITY which uses creative writing to change the lives of thousands of children is turning to Hull with a series of events designed to foster long-lasting benefits from the City of Culture activities.

First Story has already placed writers in residence at five schools in the city in partnership with Hull 2017 to give young people the chance to find their voices, build their confidence and raise their aspirations.

As part of these residencies First Story will hold a Creative Writing Event at The Deep next month. The charity will follow that by bringing the inaugural National Writing Day to Hull in June, and the city will also host First Story’s Northern Young Writers’ Festival in the autumn in partnership with the BBC.

Organisers of the events have secured support from The Deep and from Saville Audio Visual and have created new sponsorship opportunities for a programme which will reach regional and national audiences.

Freya Cross, business and corporate manager at The Deep, said: “We didn’t think twice when we were offered the opportunity to host the workshops and awards in February, and we are delighted that First Story see our facilities as appropriate for this kind of project.

“From day one The Deep has been all about inspiring people, and young people in particular. Education is central to everything that we do here. We welcome thousands of children every year with their families and with school and youth organisations and we see this as a great opportunity to support a charity which is making a real difference to young people.”

First Story is working with five secondary schools in Hull to nurture the development of young people’s creative writing. The Creative Writing Event will bring together students and writers at The Deep on Wednesday 8 February for a series of workshops which will take place in the sea laboratories, the Endless Oceans gallery and other areas.

The event will also include presentations to winners of the “Footprints around Hull” competition by a VIP guest. The young people were invited to write short stories or poems of 100 words, with each school’s winning piece to be printed on a postcard.

Dave Windass, First Story Programme Officer for Hull, said: “First Story Creative Writing Events are annual celebrations in each of our regions, and this first event in our area will bring together Hull's First Story schools, students and writers for the first time to give the students a public forum in which to perform their work.

“Students will take part in writing workshops with other First Story writers, surrounded by inspirational aquatic life and penguins in the exciting learning spaces at The Deep. We will also have readings and a presentation ceremony. This will be a real celebratory event rewarding some early success stories achieved in the first term of the programme.”

Jane Chambers, Head of Development at First Story, said: “The event will also give businesses an opportunity to find out more about the project with a view to getting involved in National Writing Day on Wednesday 21 June and the Young Writers’ Festival on Friday 29 September.

Jane said: “National Writing Day will be a high profile, UK-wide initiative. We are now seeking a national sponsor for National Writing Day as well as sponsors for National Writing Day events in Hull, London, Cardiff, Bristol and Edinburgh.

“Sponsors will enjoy association with a new, UK-wide initiative designed to encourage everyone across the country to write. Sponsors will benefit from a range of promotional opportunities linked to National Writing Day and will be invited to attend their local event with their guests. Sponsors’ employees will also have the chance to get involved in National Writing Day activities.

“We hope very much that businesses will be inspired by the work of First Story, by the Creative Writing Event at The Deep and by the unique opportunity to become a sponsor of the inaugural National Writing Day in June.”

For further information about sponsorship opportunities please contact Jane Chambers: jane.chambers@firststory.org.uk