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Regular news and insight from our many poets, writers, educators and facilitators

28 June 2023

Posted by Emma Scattergood and Alice Flynn

Creating Communities through Writing



One of the many joys of working on the Stories From Our Streets project is witnessing its impact and how its reach is already extending way beyond our expectations.


Soon after we launched, Emma ran a short series of free writing workshops at Christchurch library. The first few sessions were attended by just a few people who trusted the small group with their personal stories and told us how writing was supporting them through bereavement, ill health and job loss. They also spoke of their hope that joining the class would give them a greater sense of connection to others and - before long - word of the class spread and a new little community did indeed grow.


The evenings of story writing and story sharing became increasingly full of laughter and chatter; a group of strangers from different countries, different generations, and different backgrounds finding themselves united through a love of writing.


In the Spring, Emma ran similar workshops at Highcliffe Castle and, again, saw valuable connections being made as the participants got to know one another - often discovering they only lived streets apart.


“I didn’t think anything like this ever happened in Highcliffe!” one of them said. 

“It turns out that we both go to the beach to write!” said another.


There was much hilarity as they shared fond memories of the area and tried to establish who had lived there longest. And, when the sessions came to an end, all were keen to hear about future opportunities to do the same. For some the opportunity to write was key but, for others, the workshops also provided respite from caring responsibilities or simply the gift of time for themselves - and with others.


Leaving legacies

At Christchurch library, the group was so keen to continue meeting, that they hatched a plan to continue doing so themselves. And, even now, they continue to meet, fortnightly, at Springbourne library, led by one of the original participants who is a librarian there.


During the final workshops at both Highcliffe and Christchurch, Emma asked participants what they had gained from the experience; common responses were inspiration, new knowledge, encouragement and valuable feedback but everyone also talked of connection and community. 


We look forward to eventually seeing all of these people’s stories included in our community story map but it’s so rewarding to know that, thanks to Stories From Our Streets, their writers are already uniting in person too.


Thanks due, of course, to ArtfulScribe, BCP and Arts Council England for making it all possible. 




Creating communities at Highcliffe Castle

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