Facilitation
I am an all-around arts facilitator for all ages, abilities and life experiences.
I have experience facilitating a range of activities, both short and long-term including arts and crafts, poetry, prose, scriptwriting, drama, musical theatre and events production with ages 2 – 87.
I have worked extensively with participants with a range of access needs, and with people in financial hardship, in recovery programmes, different levels of literacy and ESOL participants.
Some organisations I have facilitated for are New Writing North, Curious Arts, Words and Worlds Community Project, Customs House, Theatre Royal and Poet in the City.
I am fully DBS checked and have done training in child and adult safeguarding and unconscious bias.
Key Facilitation Services
Group Poems
You can book me to work with your group to create a poem that encompasses the ideas and feelings of the whole group on one or more topics.
I can either work to a pre-agreed theme or come up with one during the session with the participants.
I offer:
1 hour sessions (2- 6 participants)
2 hour sessions (6 – 12 participants)
Full day sessions (for 12+ participants)
Read some example poems below!
Arts and Crafts
I can lead a range of arts and crafts activities for all ages and abilities.
My key activities include:
‘Proud people’, where (depending on age) I encourage participants to manifest who they would be if there were no limitations and decorate a person shape to reflect this.
‘Crown making’ which is exactly as it says on the tin – I work with participants to make fully decorated crowns or tiaras and ‘crown’ them as they leave.
Check out some examples of both in the gallery below!
All-around Writing
I can lead your group in poetry, prose, scriptwriting, monologues and more!
I can lead one-off or multiple sessions with your group and help them work on pre-existing, or create new, works.
If you have a specific project or goal in mind, I’m happy to plan informed sessions based on the brief.
Otherwise, I have a back catalogue of tried and tested sessions that can be tailored to fit all ages and abilities and the specific needs of your group.
'You Should Know' by the 2023 Year 6 Usworth Colliery Primary School students
You should know
that inflation is rising and so are the seas.
The population has increased from what it was before.
No one likes school dinners, especially the peas.
Corruption is too much, people are dying, we need to transform.
You should know
not to sit in a puddle of tears, someone is here.
We think about knife crime and safety every day.
It’s okay to open up to your peers about the fact that
You don’t always feel safe to go out and play.
You should know
it might be hard to stop bad habits but it’s worth it.
The animals are in danger and nobody is helping.
When you know you’re not okay, it’s okay to admit it
especially when, Beneath our feet, the world is melting.
You should know
ifeveryone was the same the world would be boring.
Freedom to express ourselves is important.
There’s still a sun, even when it’s pouring.
Adults need to make sure all kids are being supported.
You should know
Freddos are too expensive now,
and our parents don’t realise we worry.
If they don’t talk about gender or sexuality we won’t know how.
We’re seeing sea animals suffocated but no adults in a hurry.
You should know
not to be ashamed to be you.
We know prices and anxieties are high.
You don’t have to vape or smoke to be cool.
We know people can’t afford to buy what they need to buy.
You should know
people need to respect our boundaries, as we respect them,
and children are important, just like little yous.
Children’s minds can grow, just like a stem but
you’re big and we’re small, so it feels like we’ll always lose.
You should know
that you’re not alone in your mind
and we all learn differently at different speeds.
It’s okay to love yourself and all humankind,
so love more and do good deeds.
You should know
we know it’s hard for teachers and they have reason to strike.
Don’t believe everything you hear,
we need to drop judgement and be kind.
We all have ups and downs but everything will become clear.
You should know
we should be trusted and kids are human too.
Our brains are all different, we all need an outlet.
You don’t remember what it’s like to be shouted at, do you?
We should be in big conversations – if we’re not taught to communicate, we’ll forget.
You should know
that Ukraine has the support of the world.
We know the ice caps are melting,
the earth is in a swirl.
Trees cut down sharply and it’s overwhelming.
You should know
that it’s okay to struggle.
It’s okay to open up.
It’s okay to sometimes need a cuddle and
everyone finds some things tough.
You should know
inflation is blowing up like a balloon.
Kids’ pain isn’t always listened to.
We have to end favouritism soon,
because the way we’re going, our brains and earth might go boom.
You should know
we know you’ve got lots to lose.
Not enough equipment can affect our learning.
We’re very aware, even though we’re younger than you –
Just because you say our world is turning, doesn’t mean we can’t see it burning.
You should know
we will make our part of the world nicer.
We need to have more choice,
to improve the world needs to get wiser.
And when this happens, we will rejoice.
You should know
together we can overcome challenges that we fear.
We think school lunches should be free.
We have to look after one another because life is dear.
We will be the change in the world that we want to see.
Now you know.
'Home Is' by the participants of Novum Festival X Curious Arts
Home is anywhere the people you love are.
Home is where I can unmask.
Home is where there’s always swirly-whirly pasta.
Home is where I can use my imagination.
Home is where my parents were.
Home is where my memories live.
Home is where I can forward roll into bed.
Home is where I can just be me.
Home is where my elf door is.
Home is my Mabel.
Home is a feeling, not always made of bricks.
Home is somewhere peaceful.
Home is where I can rest.
Home is health.
Home is where I can do art at the window.
Home is where I’m settled.
Home is where my me-sized kitchen is.
Home is where I am accepted.
Home is where I can cartwheel in the garden.
Home is survival.
Home is where I can build all sorts of things.
Home is where I can be in pyjamas all day.
Home is where I can read stories and make my own.
Home is where the ultimate treasure map would lead.
Home is a roof over my head; which I sometimes take for granted.
Home is a storage facility for everything I love.
Home is where I can make bizarre cakes.
Home is where nobody has to hide.
Home is why I work hard.
Home is where everyone has their own seat but sometimes they are shared.
Home is all of these things.
Home is everything.
'We Are' by participants of the Curious Arts x TCR Hub Creative Youth Challenge
We are a warm waterfall you can submerge in
We are Mediterranean Sea teal
We are all artists
We are bubbles – poptastic
We are butterflies in a willow forest when it’s sunny
We are always eclectic
We are barbie pink
We are the sensation of light caught up in glass
We are an old castle late at night
We are cats – soft and cuddly
We are tree frog green
We are a coffee shop when it’s raining
We are buoyant like a volleyball up high
We are unapologetically queer
We are going to dress colourfully because we feel colourful
We are blood red
We are always open to talking
We are your neighbours
We are your friends
We are all of these things
'The Competencies of Rage Pt2' Written by the South Shields New Writing North Young Writers
We will not obey your dress code
We will not let you infantalise us just to then turn around and tell us to grow up
We will not be silenced
We will not allow you to shape our identities
We will not man up
We will not
We will not conform to your mindless stereotypes
We will not judge people based on their appearance
We will not keep calm and carry on
We will not stand by and watch politics become more dangerous just because we are young
We will not succumb to your lazy expectations
We will not conform to, and reinforce, your sexist mindset
We will not
We will not mindlessly follow the crowd
We will not feel stupid for not knowing imperceptible assumed knowledge
We will not live in a cage of restriction
We will not allow the scapegoating of our trans siblings
We will not lose weight and feel great
We will not
We will not be objectified
We will not be part of your facile cult of perfection
We will not let your offensive comments pass as jokes
We will not dance under the gallows
We will not be made to feel bad because of your inconsistent sizing
We will not dumb down
We will not eat naked to look good naked
We will not
We will not trim our waist to the size of a twig
We will not blindly respect you just because you are old
We will not wear makeup just to impress you
We will not be classified by your lazy anthropology
We will not let family favouritism affect us
We will not
We will not alter our appearance to win your affection
We will not pretend to know pointless things you think we should
We will not submit to the lies of the patriarchy
We will not hold our fingers to our lips
We will not be labelled provocative for wearing our favourite skirt
We will not buy this shit
We will not
We will not lost the capacity for thought and care because we are young
We will not parent our traumatised parents
We will not tolerate this barrage of misinformation
We will not let you pressure us
We will not be slandered by the weight of a hood
We will not let your laughter diminish our flames
We will not prejudice at the behest of fears and lies
We will not accept blood guilt
We will not be told
We will not
We will not collapse under the pressure of your labels
We will not feel bad for wearing charity shop clothes when you call it thrifted
We will not accept opinion as fact
We will not count nutrients like biblical syn
We will not believe your petty lies
We will not trust the law that does not protect us
We will not be rendered as a man hater
We will not
We will not be controlled
We will not stand by while you clap with bloodied hands
We will not be constrained by the makeup of chromosomes
We will not let you tell us our health status from a glance
We will not be castigated from our confidence
We will not
We will not be drowned by the swell of tradition
We will not dress down for your casual-smart-casual
We will not be shackled by the limits of language
We will not accept that such a lengthy wait list is normal
We will not worship at the alter of your logos
We will not feel embarrassed for holding hands with the people we like
We will not
We will not know limits
We will not curtail the boundaries of our dreams
We will not break our promises
We will not regulate the volume of our laughter
We will not let you dismiss us
We will not bask in the hindrance of your hatred
We will not sit still, stay put and make our bodies uncomfortable to please you
We will not.
'You Should Know' written by the Curious Arts’ Queer Youth Music group
You should know our love isn’t taboo –
let’s leave ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ in 2022.
You should know elated acceptance sways their power –
our identities are blooming just like a flower.
You should know we’re not just surviving –
the LGBTQ+ community is thriving.
You should know our experiences aren’t the same –
not linear, like the moon, they wax and they wane.
You should know representation always finds us –
in Dr Who, in Buffy, on the streets, on the bus.
You should know we’re united through music and song –
it helps us find where we belong.
You should know how confusing it is not knowing who you are –
how easy it is to feel, sometimes, sub-par.
You should know you don’t have to hold us all at arms length –
we’ll rise up together, our community is our strength.
You should know it’s you making all of the fuss –
our queerness isn’t about you, it is about us.
You should know we’ve been here since the beginning of time –
all while you try to make our existence a crime.
You should know the struggle of trying to tell someone you’re queer –
we’re loud, we’re proud, we’re nothing to fear.
You should know that queerness can also mean joy –
outside of the binary of ‘girl’ or of ‘boy’.
You should know that chosen family can be just as strong as blood –
people who make you happy, spaces that make you feel good.
You should know we’ll never stop fighting for equality –
2023 is the year to be me.
Now you know.
Previous Facilitation
Below are details of some of the facilitation I’ve done in recent years.
New Writing North
I have worked with New Writing North over the past four years, on both school projects and extra-curricular groups.
I have been both accessibility support and lead facilitator, working with the Newcastle, Gateshead, Berwick, Cramlington and South Shields groups.
In these sessions, I have led sessions on aspects of writing including page-poetry, spoken-word poetry, script writing, short prose and self-editing.
I worked at Callerton Academy on their 7up programme, leading a term-long creative writing project for a class of young people. The outcome of this project was a TV episode script written by the young people entitled ‘Eddie and Noodles’, about two best friends who fall in love and use their dogs, Eddie and Noodles, as an excuse to meet up.
Curious Arts
I have been working with Curious Arts for the past three years, facilitating both the Newcastle and Middlesborough Youth Groups, Arts Challenge days and Mini Pride events.
A ‘Mini Pride’ is the Curious Team travel to a venue in the North (sometimes libraries, theatres etc)and lead a day of crafts and experiences for young people and their families. Within the mini prides, I have facilitated young people in crafts such as ‘proud people’, crown-making, paper house making and performance poetry.
I co-facilitated the Newcastle Youth group from September 2021 until December 2022. In these sessions, we tried a new craft or creative persuit every month. Some of the sessions we did were clay sculptures, lino printing, zine making and badge-making.
I also organised and co-facilitated on the delivery of the monthly ‘go-sees’, where we’d take young people to different locations to take part in different activities, including to Northern Print, Northern Pride and Birkheads Wild.
Words and Worlds
Words and Worlds was my first community project. We worked across Fenham, Walker and on zoom, leading weekly sessions for service users of Changing Lives, Building Futures East, and members of Elders Council Newcastle.
I facilitated on sessions, sometimes leading and sometimes as access support or a scribe for ESl participants or participants who needed support with literacy.
I helped edit together the manuscript for the anthology, typing up hand-written pieces, formatting the document, and choosing which pieces and portraits went where.
This became the ‘Look at Us Now’ anthology, which you can read in full here.
Poet in the City
I was the facilitator for the Poet in the City Newcastle Producers Programme.
The programme is aimed towards people 16 – 26, and the goal is to have them work with producers and other industry experts in order to gain the skills and experience they need to produce their own arts event at the end.
The participants either had minimal or no events production experience and I worked with them, through weekly sessions, to get them to where they needed to be in order to create, at the end of the course, their own event called ‘West-Start, West-Middle, West-End’.
The event was a success, with a full and varied audience and brilliant line-up. Several of the participants now produce solo events.
Usworth Colliery Primary School
I planned and facilitated a full-day of poetry writing for Usworth Colliery Primary school, in which I worked with every year 6 pupil to write a poem about all of the things the young people wanted the adults in their life (and the world) to hear and know.
I worked with 60 young people in groups of 8 throughout the day – chatting to them, asking them questions and helping them write lines of poetry which I later collated to create a final poem.
At the end of the day, we got all of the young people and teachers together for a performance of the poem and a Q&A. It was a wonderful day.
Ours Us We
I have co-facilitated the Ours/Us/We LGBTQIA+ arts group at the Customs House several times over the past year. With this group, I have facilitated both craft and writing sessions.
In one of the craft sessions, we made the above pictured ‘manifestation’ people – the young people all had a chance to imagine how they’d like to present themselves and their gender to the world, if there were no limitations, and manifest it. I also worked with them on a poetry manifesto.
“Amy was incredible with the children from start to finish […] Amy was able to draw out the innermost thoughts and feelings of some of our most reluctant children. We will definitely be asking Amy to come back and work her magic again!”
Claire Swinburn, Usworth Colliery Primary School
Crafts
Here are some crafts made by young people in my sessions:
“Amy mentored me during the 2023 Young Producers’ programme with Poet in the City. Her tutelage boosted my confidence tenfold and empowered me to create my own monthly event off the back of it, once that mentorship programme ended.
She has keenly kept in touch with me to observe my progress and provide follow-up support if I reach out to her. I am well proud that I know Amy and her work as a facilitator has been invaluable.”
– Andi Down (writer, rapper, producer)
“Amy mentored me during the 2023 Young Producers’ programme with Poet in the City. Her tutelage boosted my confidence tenfold and empowered me to create my own monthly event off the back of it, once that mentorship programme ended.
She has keenly kept in touch with me to observe my progress and provide follow-up support if I reach out to her. I am well proud that I know Amy and her work as a facilitator has been invaluable.”
– Andi Down, (writer, rapper, producer)
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