Workshops, Classes, Courses.



My approach to teaching creative writing and poetry is through an experience of play - the innate ability to create and express.

With adults, this means feeling safe enough to contact and maintain awareness with our playful nature.
As a teacher, I regard my role as that of nurturing this processes via engaging exercises and tasks, and allowing the individual to express their own true voice. As well as creating an environment in which to develop creative writing skills, this provides individuals each with an opportunity to better observe and understand their unique creative process.

I run classes, occasional projects and workshops either independently or through Moor Poets.
I am also a tutor with the Workers Educational Association  who run classes free of charge to those on means tested benefits.

When working with children, that same sense of play is also a vehicle for finding words and phrases that arise through

experiences in the natural world

adventuring with the senses

exploring other art-forms

using arts media


SCHOOLS:

I have worked successfully with KS2, KS3, and KS4 groups, and with children and young people outside the school setting.

I am happy to collaborate with teachers and head-teachers to suit ongoing projects and relevant targets, but I primarily offer an ‘arts’ experience rather than a direct education/curricular approach.

Giving ongoing good feedback at all stages of the process is a high priority, as is encouraging a love of dramatic, juicy, evocative words and provoking language through storytelling, poetry reading, artwork, script-writing, and drama.

Working with the support of the class teacher and teaching assistants ensures that students with additional needs receive their additional support.



I can be booked for work in schools either independently, or through

DAISI (Devon Arts In Schools Network)

RiO (Real Ideas Organisation, Plymouth)

Apples and Snakes (the country's leading performance poetry professional development agency.) 

SWGATE (South West Gifted & Talented - supporting gifted children in the education system)


"…an enjoyable and stimulating session 
for reluctant and struggling writers".

Anna Mills, teacher; Pennycross Primary School, Plymouth
 

“…the teachers gave extremely positive feedback and were particularly pleased by 
the positive effect (Lucy’s sessions) had on the children's perception of writing and 
writers. They were unanimous in their feeling that schools could benefit from more 
of this kind of professional input.” 

Dr. Jo Mayes, project leader, ‘Devonport Leat Project’
 

“I was extremely impressed with Lucy's control of 38 excited children. Her dramatic
 method of eliciting words from the children was extremely effective and she used
praise and encouragement throughout the session."

Helen Langton, teacher; Meavy CE Primary School, Devon.






YOUTH GROUPS:

Young people who are motivated towards creative writing usually have their own ideas and agendas, requesting workshops or classes with specific goals in mind: for example, song lyrics, producing a magazine or other publication, or writing for performance.

I am able to plan sessions to suit these needs.

I am able to design issue-based sessions around such subjects such as personal and cultural identity, womens issues, race, and gender; and am keen to work in collaboration with other artists and performers in projects for young people.

 


"Tapping into the energetic loud mind of a teenager is no easy task, but it was
 "mission accomplished" by Lucy Lepchani during a creative writing workshop 
YHA Bellever. 10 students from a London college were prompted to write a short 
poem or story in their own style, language and points of view. Some of the work 
was inspirational and reflected their experience of life in a very unique way."
Garry Hayman (YHA Hostel Manager) Bellever, Dartmoor







COMMUNITY GROUPS:

I am happy to consider all ideas and possibilities, and can design workshops at all levels of ability.

Workshops can take place in particular settings, or around any number of themes, that might give voice to the most important or powerful or funny or tender, of human experiences.

Please contact me to discuss your needs and ideas.


"Lucy Lepchani led several poetry workshops at CCANW (Centre for Contemporary Art and the Natural World) for both school groups and families, which brought poetry to life within a forest setting. Lucy's workshops are well organised, incorporating a wide range of activities which create a can-do response from even the most initially reticent of participants."

Johanna Korndorfer, (education co-ordinator) CCANW

LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

I am cleared at ‘Enhanced Discrimination’ level with the Home Office  (police check)and can provide relevant documents. I also hold Public Liability Insurance for the purpose of teaching and performing poetry and creative writing in schools and venues such as village halls, hotels, galleries, etc.

 

COSTS AND BOOKINGS:

Please contact me to discuss any ideas or requests.

Some of the organisations for whom I have provided education work are:

  • Apples and Snakes
  • Barbican Theatre (Plymouth)
  •  CCANW
  • Creative Partnerships,
  • DAISI, 
  • Devon Library Services,
  • Larmer Tree Festival
  • Moor Poets
  • Real Ideas Organisation (RiO, Plymouth)
  • South West Gifted and talented (SWGaTE)
  • TR2 (Theatre Royal education, Plymouth)
  • Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust
  • Workers Educational Association (WEA)
  • Youth Hostels Association

Bookings for schools can be made through DAISI, RiO and Apples and Snakes; for adults, via Apples and Snakes and the WEA; (all links available on this page) or private arrangements can be made via this website and the address below.


lucy lepchani - creative writing & poetry workshops

info@lucylepchani.co.uk

 

 
 
 
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