Supported by our Programme and Partnerships Manager in Nottingham, local writers work with young people in secondary schools across the East and West Midlands.
First Story has become an integral part of our school and the benefits of involving our young people in creative writing and poetry are immense.
Alison Brannick, Head, Landau Forte College, Derby
Midlands Advisory Group
We’re grateful to benefit from the breadth of regional knowledge and expertise provided by our volunteer advisors in the East Midlands. The group, representing arts, education and youth perspectives, meets quarterly to inform our work in the region.
Jane Dodge
Freelance journalist
Sarah ElliotT-Maher
Development Lead (Secondary) at Teach First.
Tammy Elward
Director of the Spencer Teaching School Hub and Derby Research School at Spencer Academies Trust
PRIYA GILL
Undergraduate Student and First Story alumna
LUKE PARMENTER
Widening Access and Outreach Manager, Nottingham Trent University
FARHANA SHAIKH
Director and Publisher, Dahlia Books
NICKI SHORE
Director of Lincolnshire SCITT and Research and Development Lead for The Priory Federation of Academies
HANNAH TREVARTHEN
Director, Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature
Alumni voices
Priya Gill, Derby
First Story has been and continues to be an incredible benefit not just to me, but my peers too.
Priya took part in our Young Writers Programme at Landau Forte College in Derby in 2019/20. She then won a coveted Rathbone’s Folio Mentorship, working with poet Kathryn Maris. Priya is a poet, a First Story Ambassador and Derby’s Deputy Youth Mayor.
Midlands stories
Get in touch
Pippa Hennessy
Programme & Partnerships Manager,
Midlands
Pippa oversees relationships with partner schools, writers and delivery partners across the East Midlands, from her base in Nottingham where she has lived for over 35 years. Pippa, who also works for an independent publisher (Five Leaves Publications), oversees First Story’s writer development programme. She is determined to give as many young people as possible the opportunity to write, having seen the difference it makes to their confidence, prospects, and enjoyment of life.
