FESTIVALS/SCHOOL VISITS
I’ve been mentoring children for over 10 years, primarily working with Hackney-based children’s creative writing charity Ministry of Stories. The project I’ve been most involved with - and am most passionate about - is their ‘Speak Up’ programme, helping Year 9 pupils at my local school to craft and deliver speeches (in the Houses of Parliament) on subjects they’re passionate about. It fills my heart every time, to see these young people overcome their nerves, and find their voice. As a kid who was terrified to speak publicly, and as an adult who does it regularly now, this is some of the most rewarding work I do.
In addition, my creative work has taken me into so many classrooms and book/film festivals, mainly in-person, sometimes virtual. Here are a few highlights:
I delivered 2 events with both the Adnan picture book and film. Event 1 was for 4-8 year olds, in which I created fun activities for this young audience that also engaged them with the big-hearted message of the book.
Event 2 was for 9+, in which I could also unpack the process of making the film, not least preparing an eleven-year-old non-actor for the lead role.
Edinburgh International Book Festival
This one was over Zoom from my kitchen, a good thing given the audience was 16.5K primary school students around the UK. I also got goosebumps when I learned that our session would be followed by living legend Michael Rosen.
National Literacy Trust
The Adnan film played to thousands of primary school children around Normandy (winning their ‘Primaries Favorite’ award at This is England film festival). As such, I visited multiple schools, where I was overwhelmed by how engaged the pupils were, and the artwork they created.
School Visits - Rouen, France
Bedales School: Year 9 Curriculum Project
Once again, the Adnan short film proved its power in engaging a young audience with global challenges. It was a joy to discuss the issues that Adnan shines a light on with Year 9 students who then led on creating a screening/Q&A event, the proceeds of which went to the Rural Refugee Network. You can read a Telegraph article here, written by Alistair McConville, Director of Learning and Innovation at Bedales School.