National Poetry Day: Inspiring the Next Generation of Writers

What started as a meeting of minds between Tom from Write-London and Julie from SEAPIA at a local writer’s festival has blossomed into Sands End Adventures in Creativity, affectionately known as Writing Club by its participants.

Since its inception, Writing Club has provided children aged 6-11 the opportunity to explore their creativity through weekly workshops. Each session introduces new writing concepts, from rhyming patterns to storytelling techniques, whilst giving young writers the freedom to craft stories and poems they are passionate about. Although the workshops are designed to be unstructured, the supportive environment ensures that the children feel encouraged and empowered to share their work with their peers.

SEAPIA's Manager, Julie, highlights the impact that Write London has made:

"What a wonderful asset Write-London is to our weekly programme. Every child is treated as an individual and encouraged to express themselves freely. The work that has been produced is truly inspiring. I would say that the greatest thing for me is seeing the confidence that has grown in all children that take part and the joy and excitement I see every week when they are writing their stories and poetry."

One of the most inspiring outcomes of this collaboration is the recent anthology of poems and stories written by the children themselves. This anthology stands as a testament to their hard work, creativity, and the nurturing guidance of both SEAPIA and Write London. For many of these young writers, holding a physical copy of their work has been a source of pride and motivation.

Tom and Naino from Write London share their pride in the project:

"One of the privileges of working alongside SEAPIA is witnessing the personal, creative, and interpersonal growth of all the young writers at Writing Club. We are exceptionally proud of this astonishing project and all of our writers’ hard work and enthusiasm."

Together, SEAPIA and Write-London have demonstrated that when children are given the space and encouragement to be creative, the results can be extraordinary. Sands End Adventures in Creativity continues to be a beacon of inspiration, proving that every child has a story to tell - and that their stories are worth celebrating.

About the Charities
SEAPIA plays a crucial role in the community by providing low-cost play and childcare for children aged 4-13. Its purpose-built facilities and large outdoor space create a positive and stimulating environment where children can express themselves freely, while fostering intergenerational connections with elderly and isolated residents.

Write-London has been bringing people’s stories to life since 2014. With a focus on community-driven creative expression, the charity has empowered nearly 3,000 participants to explore their writing and share their work. Collaborating with artists and publishing the work of participants, Write London has reached over 10 million people.