1918 – The Creative Writing Project
Writing Stories
As part of a series of events and activities that Sheffield Hallam University have planned, the Widening Participation and Outreach (WPO) Team have worked in partnership with three Primary Schools from across the South Yorkshire region to deliver an exciting creative writing project.
The WPO team worked with almost 60 primary school pupils in years five and six from High Woods Academy in Doncaster, Tinsley Meadows in Sheffield and Wellgate in Barnsley to deliver the ‘1918 project’ which aimed to encourage the children to write a 500 word story looking at the role children played during that time and what life was like for them.
As part of the project, the children had an interactive lesson in their school about creative writing, before coming into Sheffield Hallam University for an exciting visit to have a tour of the campus, take part in an exciting roadshow and hear from one of our creative writing academics in an inspiring lecture about how and why he became a creative writer and poet.
Display in the Winter Gardens
Speaking about the 1918 project, Widening Participation and Outreach Co-ordinator, Michelle Eccles, said: “What we wanted these pupils to do was to put themselves in the position of children their age from 100 years ago, and write a 500 word story about what they’re experiencing – what are they doing, where do they go, what does the War mean to them?
“We also wanted to be able to give them the insight into both the historical past of maybe their families and local area, but also this is a great opportunity for them to be able to develop their English Language and Literature skills on their journey to producing the story.
“Our Creative Writing academic, Chris Jones, gave a really insightful and inspiring lecture about his creative writing journey and his hints and tips to becoming a great creative writer, which certainly sparked off some really wonderful thoughts for the pupils that they were then able to go and draft their stories.
“All the stories as well as other WW1-themed activities will be on display in the Winter Gardens in Sheffield City Centre as part of our free, fun-filled half term activities being held on Wednesday 31st October and Thursday 1st November from 10am – 3pm so come along and see them for yourselves.”
For more information on our half term activities this week, please click here.
Contribution by Aidan Begley, Senior Widening Participation and Outreach Officer at Sheffield Hallam University
