South Birmingham residents, including those who have been at risk of homelessness, are being invited to ‘write their future’ as part of a partnership between Bournville Village Trust and the Royal Literary Fund (RLF).
Residents are being invited to join ‘Writing the Future’, a free six week course to explore areas of their lives they would like to change, and identify achievable goals to get them there.
The course, led by local writer and RLF Fellow Martin Sketchley, is aimed at residents of Bournville Village Trust and its partners, including Spring Housing, which supports people who have experienced or are at risk of homelessness.
According to mental health charity Mind, the practice of setting goals is strongly associated with higher levels of wellbeing. Learning is also one of the ‘five ways to wellbeing’, as researched and developed by the New Economics Foundation.
Jess Allan, Community Development Manager at Bournville Village Trust, said: “We’re really pleased to be working with RLF and Martin to provide this course to residents, and residents of our partners, who will benefit from it the most.
“One of our key aims as an organisation is to work with partners to remove barriers that are stopping residents from reaching their full potential and this is a great example of how it can be done through writing and adult learning.”
Writer Martin Sketchley, said: “As well as helping those who take part in the course to explore areas of their life they would like to develop, it will also give them an opportunity to find their voice and express themselves freely.
“There will be guided exercises, readings and group discussions, and all that’s needed is pen and paper.”
The course will run from 27th February to 2nd April every Thursday evening at Bournville Hub. Places are limited, open to BVT residents and partners’ residents, and must be booked in advance by contacting Martin Sketchley on 07388 626 129 or by email at msketchley67@gmail.com
The Royal Literary Fund’s (RLF) community projects seek to nurture resilience, engagement and empowerment through professional writers working with individuals and groups to:
- Support understanding of how language and written communication impact on self and others.
- Develop skills in making life-meanings through reading, writing and conversation.
- Create new and purposeful connections within and across communities be they communities of location or communities of interest.