WORDS & WORLDS. LISTEN FOR THE BIRDS
Words & Worlds is a community arts project focused on telling people’s stories through the written word. The focus of this anthology was Isolation in the COVID-19 lockdown
Writers within their own right
ABOUT THE PROJECT
This community arts project was originally an artist residency through Newcastle City Council and Newcastle Arts Development Team and led by artists Natasha Haws and Elijah Young from September 2020 to March 2021. The intention of the residency was to help people from vulnerable community groups share their lockdown experiences through creative writing.
A series of zoom meetings, emails, phone calls and letter writing culminated in the first Words & Worlds Anthology, Listen For The Birds.
Over 40 people were involved in the project with the youngest participant being 13 and the oldest being 85. All of different ages, backgrounds and writing skills.
The Words & Worlds project continued with two more volumes, Look At Us Now and We Are So Much More
“The writing felt like an oasis; time out; an opportunity for reflection and to delve beyond knowing that ‘I’m fine really’ and allow myself to own some of the complex emotions that have arisen during this time.”
— Barbara Douglas, Elders Council
Creative Team
Project Leads Natasha Haws and Elijah Young
Community Partners Elders Council, Your Homes Newcastle, Changing Lives and Trinity Academy
Artist Placement Izzy Tessier and Amber Fox
Commissioned by Newcastle City Council, Newcastle Arts Development Team
Supported by Alison Flanningan-Wood