Support writing mentorship for teens in Southend
Donation protected
The Write Track is a creative writing and mentorship programme developed for young people who might have difficulty accessing arts programmes, or are at-risk of low outcomes - e.g. pupil premium students; those in receipt of free school meals; those who may already be involved in crime, etc. The programme is to be provided at no cost to participants.
Southend was recently ranked the worst town in Essex for knife crime. Essex itself is the third worst county in the country for teen involvement with county lines gangs.
But these young people have stories, and ideas, and talent, and I'd like to get them writing these stories down and show them there's a future for them.
The Write Track is intended to do exactly what it says – get them on the right track. But its not solely a creative writing course – there will also be a great deal of focus on the practical aspects of pursuing a writing career, such as approaching publishers, building a creative C.V, applying to festivals and events, and so on.
The most exciting part of The Write Track, however, is the mentorship element.
Mentors from all over the country have signed up to be involved - publishers and small presses, authors, poets, rappers, literary event producers, poetry promoters and professional performers.
Some notable organisations and individuals already involved include Whisky & Beards publishing, Bad Betty Press, and the 2019 winner of the Saboteur Awards 'Best Spoken Word Artist', Jamie Thrasivoulou, among others.
Mentors will engage with participants on a one-to-one basis via video call to give them the benefit of their expertise, answer questions, give feedback and so on.
Moving forward I will apply for funding - funding that will much easier to obtain once I can establish just how much positive public support there is for this project.
Any funds raised will cover venue hire costs, materials, and payment for mentors and facilitators. I would also like to make some longer term purchases such as a microphone, stand and PA to assist with the performance element of the programme.
In the meantime I'd like to get this off the ground as quickly as possible - ideally by the start of the Spring term. Therefore I am reaching out to both the writing community and my local community of Southend for donations for the project.
Thanks for your time. Please share and donate.
Southend was recently ranked the worst town in Essex for knife crime. Essex itself is the third worst county in the country for teen involvement with county lines gangs.
But these young people have stories, and ideas, and talent, and I'd like to get them writing these stories down and show them there's a future for them.
The Write Track is intended to do exactly what it says – get them on the right track. But its not solely a creative writing course – there will also be a great deal of focus on the practical aspects of pursuing a writing career, such as approaching publishers, building a creative C.V, applying to festivals and events, and so on.
The most exciting part of The Write Track, however, is the mentorship element.
Mentors from all over the country have signed up to be involved - publishers and small presses, authors, poets, rappers, literary event producers, poetry promoters and professional performers.
Some notable organisations and individuals already involved include Whisky & Beards publishing, Bad Betty Press, and the 2019 winner of the Saboteur Awards 'Best Spoken Word Artist', Jamie Thrasivoulou, among others.
Mentors will engage with participants on a one-to-one basis via video call to give them the benefit of their expertise, answer questions, give feedback and so on.
Moving forward I will apply for funding - funding that will much easier to obtain once I can establish just how much positive public support there is for this project.
Any funds raised will cover venue hire costs, materials, and payment for mentors and facilitators. I would also like to make some longer term purchases such as a microphone, stand and PA to assist with the performance element of the programme.
In the meantime I'd like to get this off the ground as quickly as possible - ideally by the start of the Spring term. Therefore I am reaching out to both the writing community and my local community of Southend for donations for the project.
Thanks for your time. Please share and donate.
Organizer
Sadie Davidson
Organizer
