Inspire celebrates community creativity with launch of its ‘I Am A Writer’ publication and podcast

Inspire is thrilled to be launching a brand new 'I Am A Writer' publication and its 'I Am A Writer’ podcast, both part of its innovative 'I Am A Creator' community cultural programme, funded by Arts Council England through Inspire’s status as a National Portfolio Organisation.

'I Am A Creator' aims to provide high-quality arts opportunities for people of all ages, empowering audiences - who may not always recognise themselves as creative - to work alongside professional writers and artists as they co-create new work across a range of artforms. This includes people affected by dementia, older people, specialist schools, neurodivergent families and wider public audiences, offering them opportunities to explore creativity alongside professionals. The project is being structured around different themes each year: 'I Am A Writer' in year one, 'I Am An Artist' in year two, and the current theme, 'I Am A Storyteller' in year three. 'I Am A Writer' is the first completed phase of the series.

The new 'I Am A Writer' publication gathers powerful pieces of co-created writing developed through workshops held between local artists and various Nottinghamshire community groups last year, including Blidworth Memory Group, Spectrum WASP, Harworth and Bircotes Tenants’ and Residents’ Association, Bowbridge Court Care Home, The Home Education Network and Men at the Edge. At the project’s heart is the conviction that we are all writers in our own way; the professional writers involved in this project (Anna O’Steele, Annie Warren, Jack Burrows, Andrew Graves, Lucy Grace, Pippa Hennessy and Clare Harvey) encouraged participants to explore their creativity in relaxed, welcoming environments, experimenting with poetry, memoir, fiction and more. Creating a safe space where people could share their stories, be heard, and listen to others led to some magical moments of connection and inspirational creative work. The publication will be available to view at Nottinghamshire Inspire libraries and can also be viewed digitally now: I Am A Writer: Publication | Inspire - Culture, Learning, Libraries

The 'I Am A Creator’ podcast series, which will cover all ‘I Am A’ projects, kicked off this week with ‘I Am A Writer’ and delves into the processes, insights, and outcomes of this transformative project in a bid to share valuable learning and insights with other libraries and cultural organisations.  Hosted by local author and editor Annie Warren, the podcast is free to listen to and will include interviews with writers and Inspire team members, beginning with a conversation with bestselling author Anna O’Steele, who co-created work with the Harworth and Bircotes Tenants and Residents’ Association.

An exhibition celebrating the 'I Am A Writer' project is currently on display at Worksop Library until Sunday 20 April, showcasing some of the brilliant and inspiring pieces of writing created. There is also an audio listening post at the exhibition where members of the public can and go and listen to some of the work at their leisure. 

The first of five episodes of the 'I Am A Writer' podcast is now available to stream on Spotify and on the Inspire website, with new episodes released at the start of each month.

Inspire Website: I Am A Creator: Podcast | Inspire - Culture, Learning, Libraries

Spotify: I Am A Creator | Podcast on Spotify

Further information about the I Am A Creator project can be found at: I Am A Creator | Inspire - Culture, Learning, Libraries