Fenland Poet Laureate, Hannah Teasdale has been “left speechless” by the powerful writing produced at her creative writing workshops by our companions.
Hannah began running creative writing workshops in our community last month and, speaking during this week’s National Storytelling Week (1-9 February), said she was very impressed with the material already produced.
The Poet Laureate for 2024 said: “I went into this series of workshops with a very open mind; I wanted to establish a stimulating and fun environment for the group where they would all feel comfortable taking part.
“This involves really listening to what the group wants from the workshops and delivering that as priority. I have been left rather speechless by the stunning work produced so far and feel we are on a very strong footing to have plenty of material at the end of the workshops to hopefully put into print.”
National Storytelling Week
National Storytelling Week is a celebration of the power of sharing stories, with this year’s theme ‘Reimagine your world’, exploring how the most extraordinary stories can come from the most ordinary places. They just need to be discovered, as Hannah is doing through her workshops.
Asked what she hopes the companions will gain from her weekly workshops, Hannah said: “Enjoying themselves, I hope! Writing doesn’t have to be a chore and is not reserved for forms and applications. However, I hope that the confidence that is being built will be transferable to other areas of their lives.
Exploring richness and beauty
“Indeed, being able to discuss ideas, listen to others’ points of view and take on constructive feedback, are important life skills to be had. The companions are keen to explore the richness and beauty to be found in life and probe the depths of what it means to be content. I am looking forward to our next session where we collectively agreed upon the title of ‘Ideal Place’ and examining what that actually means and looks like for each of us.”
It’s not the first time Hannah has been involved with Emmaus Cambridge – she’s been a regular customer in our popular Landbeach Shop selling pre-loved furniture, homewares and clothing.
“My passion for upcycling arts and crafts primarily took me through the doors of Emmaus (although the market in Ely on Sundays was the initial draw!). I was struck by the commitment and camaraderie of the companions and was keen to discover more about their lives at Emmaus,” she said.
“I have worked in schools and city centre youth groups delivering creative writing workshops in the past and with a number of charities and organisations in the South West, primarily working with survivors of domestic abuse. My laureate post has given me the opportunity to work with another homelessness charity in Wisbech and the local community in March, delivering workshops, and taking part in community events and celebrations.”
Enhancing companions’ skills
Our Chief Executive Officer, Donna Talbot, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have Hannah on board, supporting our companions with these fantastic workshops which not only enhance their literacy skills, but their creative ones too.
“Creative writing can be enormously therapeutic and a way to support our companions’ wellbeing and mental health. It’s still early days as the course has only been running for a few weeks, but we’re very excited to hear about the companions’ progress. A huge thank you to Hannah for opening up this wonderful new opportunity for our community.”
Hannah was born and raised in Birmingham before moving to Bath to study for her BSc degree and then a Masters degree in creative writing. She has lived in Ely since 2022 with her long-term partner.
Inspired by renowned poets, Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes, Hannah was crowned Fenland Poet Laureate last year after entering her poem ‘The Un-Coupling’.
A surreal experience
Commenting on becoming a laureate, she said: “It was a little surreal, to be honest. My partner suggested it as he’d been aware of the competition through social media, and I entered with little expectation and a ‘nothing to lose’ attitude.
“I was working on the edits of my third poetry collection at the time and found out I had won the same weekend the collection came out in print! I had only been living in the area for a couple of years and becoming poet laureate has significantly enhanced my experience of being a fully-fledged resident and part of the local community.”
Hannah, who has recently published her third poetry collection, ‘Indelicate Sundays’, said she would like to continue with her community work after the term of her laureateship finishes.
She said: “My community projects are undoubtedly the most rewarding aspect of the title and have provided me with a more fulfilling purpose in life. However, much to my family’s despair, our front room is wall-to-wall in used notepads that I have promised to sort through and type up accordingly… this should result in another poetry collection, sending out a few to journals and competitions and a tidier home!”
For more information on Hannah and her poetry, visit: www.hannahteasdale.com
Pic cap: Encouraging creativity – pictured are Support Worker Debbie (left) with Hannah Teasdale.