WRITING THE 7 SENSES

CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOPS FOR CHILDREN & ADULTS

Building on the momentum from Borough of Culture Award!

In 2022, Amelia was awarded a Culture Change Grant as part of the London Borough of Culture and #Wearelewisham2022. Working with Lewisham Libraries and three local schools, we ran 15 creative writing workshops for over 150 children and adults. Feedback from the workshops was very positive and many people indicated they would like to keep going in their writing and engagement.

Using music, photography, observation of nature and humour, we create a free and creative space that allows writers to improve their skills and exercise their imagination. With an emphasis on inclusion and diversity, we explore different perspectives, character building, creating suspense, and writing about cultures and settings around the world as well as across London. For children especially, this helps to build skills, empathy and self-confidence. And it’s a lot of fun!

In February 2023, we were back with another Writing the 7 Senses workshop for children ages 8-12, at Manor House Library in Lewisham. It was a sell-out course, and received very positive reviews from the children.

This is from a parent of two children, ages 10 & 8, who attended:

The girls really enjoyed themselves at the workshop (I think both gave 5 stars in the their evaluations!!) and have been inspired enough to continue writing in their books after the event. I don’t think children often get the chance just to write without following any rules so they’ve really enjoyed it.

To read a recent blog post about the workshops, please see https://abkyazze.co.uk/writing-the-7-senses/

Coming soon:

On 5 April, we are back at Eltham Library, SE9, for a children’s creative writing workshop from 2-3:30. Tickets re nearly sold out, but you can granb the last few by clicking here:

I’ve been asked to take part in the wonderful ongoing SPINE festival focussed on kindness, taking place across 16 of London’s boroughs from 10 April until 10 May. Run by visionary spoken word organisation Apple & Snakes, this year will also see the festival’s inaugural ‘Kindness Poetry Competition‘ judged by SPINE 2023 Ambassador Joseph Coelho, Waterstones’ Children’s Laureate 2022-2024.

As part of the festival I will be running two more Writing the 7 Senses workshops for ages 8-12 years old at Catford Library, Lewisham, SE6 4JU on  23 April and 29 April. Sign up now so you don’t miss out!

Learn more and sign up for the 23 April event at Catford Library here.

Learn more and sign up for the 29 April event at Catford Library here.

The Writing the 7 Senses methodology:

As a photographer and a writer, I know how important the sense of sight is. But often people don’t realise how important the other senses are, and how we can become better writers by learning how to pay attention and have fun with each one.

Writing the 7 Senses is my method to facilitate creative writing workshops for children and adults.

Using observation techniques, music, humour and artwork, I create a free and creative space that allows people to improve their skills in observation and exercise their imagination. By choosing different stimuli to generate ideas, there are many pathways to imaginative expression. For children especially,  this helps to build skills and self-confidence.

​Thinking and writing about characters from different backgrounds also builds empathy and knowledge of the world. This is so important in these difficult times; indeed, these kinds of techniques have the potential to improve relationships amongst children and the wider diverse communities where we live and work.

Terms & Conditions for Writing the 7 Senses Workshops at Manor House Library

Amelia has been DBS checked in order to run the Writing the 7 Senses workshops in local schools, and she holds Personal Liability Insurance through her membership in the Society of Authors.

The workshops at Downham Library in October and November 2022 were supported by the London Borough of Culture and Lewisham 2022 Culture Change Fund.

For the children’s course, It is the parent or carer’s responsibility to ensure that we have accurate information regarding any health considerations or special needs before the course starts. We will make every effort to accommodate your children’s requirements throughout the duration of the Writing the 7 Senses workshop.

There is disabled access at Manor House Library; please do let us know in advance if you think this is needed so we can ensure it is in working condition.

Please ensure we have emergency contact details for carers or parents, accurate for the time of the workshop.

Snacks are not allowed in Library rooms, but feel free to bring a bottle of water.

If a different person is picking up the child than dropping off, please let us know this in advance.

Refunds are available up until 7 days before the event, minus the Eventbrite fees. If there are more interested than there is capacity, we will run a waiting list. Any questions, please contact me here https://abkyazze.co.uk/contact/