LL LIFE
The write way to find happiness ANNISHA MARAJ chats to a writer whose pen has been working tirelessly over the past few months
L
ockdown seems to be a never-ending nightmare, with most people continuOusly thinking of new hobbies to start - baking, yoga, running, the list goes on. Natalie Denny, 35, took this into consideration when creating Skywriters, a project that aims to lift people’s spirits through writing and creative education. Natalie finds writing helps her in her own life. “I wanted to replicate writing as a supportive aid for others,” she told Liverpool Life, “providing a Skywriters’ community using various exercises to support people to develop and grow.” Like millions of others Natalie is facing redundancy, after only starting a new role in the museum sector in March. Lockdown has been a struggle. “Not being able to do the regular normal family activities has been
heartbreaking,” she said. The increased feeling of isolation has heightened for Natalie during the pandemic, she feels as if a writing community could help not just herself but also others combat this feeling. Skywriters is described as a ‘creative education and training project that supports individuals, businesses and communities with self-esteem, confidence, personal development and cohesion to enhance lives’. “Skywriters combines my love of writing, activism and education to create an engaging learning experience” she explained. According to Natalie there needs to be more emphasis on supporting individuals with their mental health and combatting isolation in these uncertain times. She said: “Many people cannot claim financial aid and this has a massive impact on their lives. So a holistic practical package that
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
doesn’t allow anyone to slip through the net is required.” Skywriters hosts Instagram live streams Monday to Friday at 12pm where people can take part in writing exercises, you can also follow them on Twitter and Instagram ‘Skywriters_’ or Facebook ‘Skywritersuk’. There is more information on how to get involved on its website www.skywriters.uk. As the project develops, it will be launching a variety of different programmes targeted at children and adults. Activism and young writers’ programmes, community coaching, one-to-one sessions
and education and training events, will all be based on the first stage of the project, Skywriters’ book resource, which is currently seeking funding via GoFundMe to create 100 books and cover the costs of creative education session development and piloting. Aside from helping individuals putting their thoughts into words, Skywriters will also be participating in local activism initiatives. The first projects are ‘Scouse Christmas Stockings’ and the ‘Big Winter foodbank drive’, where people can donate food, stockings and stocking fillers to Skywriters, helping families who may be struggling over the Christmas period.
Donation Links So far £975 out of the £6,000 target has been raised. You can donate to Skywriters via this link https://gf.me/u/ y5yjzv. For more information on how to donate visit https://www. skywriters.uk/scouse-christmas-stockings.
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