Shared Writing: Bringing Words to Life

Shared Writing increases the aspirations and engagement of young people through books. We organise workshops in writing, illustration and storytelling. We support creative projects, such as a sculpture trail of ‘Readers’ by Derby College design students. Most importantly, we publish books of the students’ stories and illustrations. 

We have published seven books so far, with two more for 2020. Every year we work with students on the Lexis programme at Derby College – young refugees who are learning English. They write stories about their experiences of coming to England and living and studying in Derby. A second book, The World and Me, is an anthology of pieces written by pupils from three Derby secondary schools – Bemrose, St Benedict’s and Murray Park – and selected entries from our writing competition for students at Derby College and Derby University. The stories are also illustrated by young artists from the College and University. Both books will be available on the website in June.