On a brisk Tuesday morning in December, First Story young writers from across the East Midlands came together at Nottingham Trent University for our annual East Midlands Connect event — a day of workshops, talks and creative writing that builds confidence and helps students feel part of a wider writing community. Students and staff attended from The Bulwell Academy (Nottingham), Co-op Florence MacWilliams (Stoke-on-Trent), Sutton Community Academy (Mansfield) and Babington Academy (Leicester), who were hosted in NTU’s Chaucer Building.
The day opened with a welcome from First Story and NTU colleagues before students headed into two creative writing workshops led by First Story writers Owen Craven-Griffiths (aka John Berkavitch), Leanne Moden, Kevin Fegan and Shreya Sen-Handley.
After lunch, NTU student ambassadors led the young writers on guided campus tours of the university. This was followed by a university talk from Elliott Walker (NTU Schools and Colleges rep) and a Q&A with our incredible panel consisting of the four First Story writers, Olivia Mould (NTU Creative Writing student), First Story alum Tilly Wiggins, and Anthony Cropper (NTU Creative Writing Senior Lecturer).
We closed with a celebratory showcase, where students performed work developed during the workshops to their peers and VIPs including the Lord Mayor of Nottingham — a highlight of the day.
Announcing: Folio Academy Mentorships 2025/26
