Fighting Words renews focus on Literacy
Primary school students enjoy the fun and interaction of a creative writing workshop.
Bringing a love of words to the fore, our latest grant has been awarded to Fighting Words, an organisation established by Roddy Doyle and Sean Love in Dublin in 2009. An initial grant of €30,000 has been approved to provide seed funding for the expansion of the programme to the South Inner City, with the aim of offering the programme to 600 young people.
First established in 2009, Fighting Words promotes creativity and writing as a fun and powerful means of self-expression. This is important in it’s own right, yet Fighting Words is about something much broader and more inclusive than simply writing.
Enthralled by the power of words!
Giving students voice and encouraging them to believe in their own worth is at it’s core.
It is about using the creative practice of writing and storytelling to empower and strengthen children and teenagers – from all backgrounds – to be resilient, creative and successful shapers of their own lives. As such, it aligns perfectly with the goals and aspirations of basis.point.
In it’s infancy Roddy Doyle and Sean Love set about offering a big bright room in the North Inner City, an area that desperately needed a big bright room, a room that was welcoming of all and fun to be in.
Providing free programmes and mentoring in creative writing, the writing centre offers children aged 6 to 17, the chance to explore their creativity through writing and related activities.
Working on their books to take home.
Thanks to the basis.point grant, Fighting Words will now be able to offer creative writing projects with children in the Liberties and Dublin 8 area, duplicating projects it is running successfully in Dublin’s north east inner city.
The catchment area includes 8 DEIS primary schools in an area of significant disadvantage that has been overlooked in recent years. and will provide creative writing workshops, afterschool clubs and summer camps from children in the area.
Everything Fighting Words provides is free to ensure that everyone who comes to their centres is treated equally and has the same opportunity. Their creative workshops are not only fun and interactive, but also support different skills useful for inside and outside the classroom! Team work, presentation skills, writing, confidence-building, independent creation.
Volunteering, a rewarding and enriching experience.
They rely heavily on the generosity of volunteers and we are excited to be able to offer our community this new opportunity to directly make an impact on the lives of young people experiencing disadvantage.
Please contact Sharon Lett if you are interested in getting involved. Priority will be given to Prestige and Premier Patrons.
In the words of our President Michael D Higgins “Words will bring you life and joy.”
We can’t wait to get started!
