On the 23 June, First Story young writers and teachers from our London Voice schools came together at UCL East Marshgate campus on the former Olympic Park in Stratford for London Voice Connect.
Anyone who enters the Marshgate building will find themselves in the foyer, standing beneath the colossal Gaia globe installation by artist Luke Jerram. Jerram says that the artwork is intended to ‘lift people’s spirits but also focus minds’… what more fitting sentiment to begin our day?
This is the second year running that UCL East has generously hosted our London Voice Connect event. The day provides the opportunity for First Story students to come together and participate in creative workshops with professional writers, university campus tours with UCL Student Ambassadors, a writer Q&A and a showcase of the original creative writing produced throughout the day.
The morning got off to an energising start with a warm-up and performance by our host, the brilliant Cecilia Knapp, before the students from St Paul’s Way School, Trinity Academy, Hampstead School and St Saviour’s & St Olave’s CofE School moved into their workshop groups.
Each group introduced students from two different schools to one another, giving everyone the opportunity to meet new, like-minded people. Leading them through a series of fun and challenging creative writing exercises were our talented First Story writers: Francesca Beard, Arji Manuelpillai, Talia Randall and Adisa.
Following the morning’s generative writing workshop, UCL East Student Ambassadors conducted student tours of the campus throughout lunchtime, answering questions about university life along the way. Then it was time for a quick relax and bite to eat before heading back to the workshop rooms for more creativity – this time, stretching everyone’s performance skills ahead of the end-of-day showcase!
After a fun performance skills workshop, we all came back together to hear an audio teaser for Season 2 of First Story Presents: London Voice, which was launching the next day (on National Writing Day), and which some of the attending students had had the opportunity to record for this year.
We followed this with our Writer Q&A, where the students were invited to get curious and put their questions to our panel of professional writers. From creative inspirations, to how to get work as a writer, to what puts you off reading a book, our panel answered it all!
It felt like the perfect lead-up to the student showcase where the young writers took to the mic with confidence and poise to share their newly created writing. As we said our goodbyes, one thing was for certain: our spirits had been lifted and our minds focused.
We are incredibly grateful for the support of the UCL East for making London Voice Connect such a success. London Voice is generously funded by the St Paul’s Schools Foundation and supported by The Mercers’ Company.
Feedback
Lovely to see the students develop in confidence and skill
Teacher who attended London Voice Connect 2026
I enjoyed being able to talk and write in a cool and inclusive environment.
Student who attended London Voice Connect 2026
I liked how communal it was and how I could see the life of a writer in-depth.
Students who attended London Connect 2026
London Connect at Goldsmiths, University of London
