Partnership aims to give kids write stuff

A partnership bound by literature has joined forces to help deliver a creative writing initiative to up to 20 primary schools across Northern Ireland.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Oct 2020, 06:30 BST
Mylie and Luke from P5 at Wheatfield Primary School in Belfast can’t wait to get writing at the launch of ‘Fantastic Fictions’, with Jim O’ Hagan, Chief Executive of Libraries NI, Glenn Patterson, author, patron and founder of Fighting Words NI and Gilly Campbell, Head of Community Arts and Education at Arts Council Northern Ireland.Mylie and Luke from P5 at Wheatfield Primary School in Belfast can’t wait to get writing at the launch of ‘Fantastic Fictions’, with Jim O’ Hagan, Chief Executive of Libraries NI, Glenn Patterson, author, patron and founder of Fighting Words NI and Gilly Campbell, Head of Community Arts and Education at Arts Council Northern Ireland.
Mylie and Luke from P5 at Wheatfield Primary School in Belfast can’t wait to get writing at the launch of ‘Fantastic Fictions’, with Jim O’ Hagan, Chief Executive of Libraries NI, Glenn Patterson, author, patron and founder of Fighting Words NI and Gilly Campbell, Head of Community Arts and Education at Arts Council Northern Ireland.

Fighting Words NI and Libraries NI have teamed up for the first time for an initiative titled, ‘Fantastic Fictions – new writing inspired by books we love’.

They are inviting children from primaries five, six and seven to write short stories sparked by their favourite books, with the aim of encouraging teachers and pupils to engage with creative writing and reading.

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Damian Smyth, head of literature, Arts Council Northern Ireland, said: “It is important that funding from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland is supporting new collaborations like this one between Fighting Words NI and Libraries NI.

“It is all about increasing access to reading and to creative writing for our young children, a top priority for the Arts Council and Fighting Words is just the organisation to support.

“It’s a pleasure to know that this programme, aided by first-class authors like Glenn Patterson, will reach primary pupils in up to 20 schools across the region.”

Mr Patterson, author, patron and founder of Fighting Words NI, said: “I just love seeing how Fighting Words constantly evolves and innovates to forge new collaborative relationships.

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“Thanks to Libraries NI for the opportunity to work with them.

“We’re all really looking forward to reading the stories which will no doubt be bursting with originality and imagination and every single one of them will be published on our website.

“I’m so excited to see where ‘Fantastic Fictions’ takes us.”

Libraries NI chief executive Jim O’Hagan said: “I am very pleased to be partnering with Fighting Words and local primary schools to deliver the Fantastic Fiction creative writing project over the coming months.

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“This initiative is the perfect opportunity for young people to use their imaginations and develop their creativity and writing skills.

“Reading and writing for pleasure can have an important impact on children’s literacy and their creativity.”

The online submissions portal will be open until October 31.

Every young person’s work will be published online and Fighting Words and Libraries NI will showcase Fantastic Fictions throughout October with a selection of the young writers’ readings posted online at www.fightingwords.co.uk.

The initiative is supported by Arts Council of Northern Ireland (Exchequer) and the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland through the New Needs Fund.

Related topics:Arts CouncilNorthern Ireland