Autumn/ Winter 2023
Register students who have taken part in previous First Story programmes to support your current cohort.
What’s involved?
Up to 3 students who have previously taken part in First Story can register to take part in this year’s workshops, support the current First Story group as mentors and work with your Writer-in-Residence to deliver a creative writing activity.
Both mentors and mentees will gain new skills and insights from the experience — and help grow a supportive community of young writers in your school. Participants will have access to First Story mentoring resources and opportunity to attend an online support session with First Story staff during the course of the project. Afterwards, we will ask students to reflect on learning and new skills acquired through the project.
By the end of this project, your students will have developed valuable leadership skills, from organisation and self-management to improved communication and interpersonal skills.
Lead teachers registering students to take part will receive a downloadable resource to give to mentors, which guides them through participating in three First Story workshops, supported by your Writer-in-Residence.
In the first session, mentors will observe and model; the second session encourages mentors to engage more proactively and offer their support to the current group; finally mentors will work with the Writer-in-Residence to plan and deliver a creative writing activity during a workshop. All students who complete the project and return their reflection activity will receive a certificate and First Story goody bag.
Please complete this form to register up to three former First Story students for this invaluable opportunity. The deadline to register is Friday 3rd November.
What is the Young Ambassadors programme?
First Story’s Young Ambassadors programme was developed in response to demand from students for a second year of support and opportunities, once their participation in our flagship Young Writers Programme comes to an end. We have designed an enriching three-part course that promises to develop young people’s leadership, events and mentoring skills, plus provide inspiring insights into creative careers.
Taking part in Young Ambassadors will platform your students’ talent, skills and achievements. It will activate youth voice, empowering young people to influence a culture of creative writing in their schools and communities.
This year we want to provide Young Ambassador opportunities to all of our partner schools, including three optional modules, Mentoring, Publishing, and Inspiring Young Leaders alongside further opportunities for Young Ambassadors to get involved in school and First Story events.
Mentoring Opportunity — registration form
Partner schools are invited to nominate up to three former First Story students to take part in this project. Nominated students should have previously taken part in a Young Writers Programme. Students will need to be committed to undertaking this project and supporting other students. Participants will need to be able to attend at least three of your current Writer-in-Residence workshops, and may opt to attend an online support session with First Story staff.
