HAY delivers writing and performance workshops for young women, facilitated by award-winning women writers and authors. Led by our lead facilitator Jacqueline Crooks, the project has created safe, welcoming spaces where young women, particularly those from ethnically diverse backgrounds, can connect, open up, and explore the topics that matter most to them.
Since 2019, we have been delivering creative writing workshops for young women across Hounslow, using heritage and cultural sites as inspiration for their writing. Drawing on a rich mix of genres; poetry, flash fiction, rap, and memoir, young women explore and celebrate their unique lives and experiences, finding their voice and owning their narratives.
Performance & Publishing
Participants also attend performance workshops led by outstanding writers and publishers who have facilita
ted sessions nationally and internationally. Their stories are edited and published by Vanguard Readings, the publishing company run by Richard Skinner – author, poet, and Director of the Fiction Program
me at the world
renowned Faber Academy. Richard brings a genuine commitment to discovering new talent, and is alw
lookout for the next brilliant voice to emerge from the workshops.
Young women involved in the project have been featured in Platform 14, the community section of 14 Magazine.
Our Publications
To date we have launched five books together:
- Inky Lemons
- Enlighten
- The B Dream
- Monuments
- Perspectives
Each celebrated with a book launch honouring the young women’s achievements.
Sharing Their Voices
The young women have continued to share their writing far and wide, performing at events including World Poetry Day, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion events, corporate events, and youth centres, telling their stories with confidence and pride.
Growing Together
The project has continued to grow and evolve. In collaboration with Chiswick House and Gardens, young women contributed to the Black Chiswick through History project, producing a beautiful collection of poems and prose titled Notes from a Paradise Garden. We also worked closely with the Hounslow Culture Team to include young people in the Poetry Takeaway during the summer of 2024.
Most recently, the Writing Project has naturally grown into the Botanical Women Project, weaving creative storytelling into new spaces and experiences, and continuing to inspire the next generation of young women writers.
Many of our young women developed into facilitating writing workshops themselves.
What Our Young Women Say
“I really enjoyed learning how to use the iPad for creativity. Learning with the Apple Team was great, they make everything fun and we get to use nice products. The Apple team are so helpful. I would love to do more sessions and just keep learning.”
“I enjoyed reading out my work and hearing what everyone likes about it and understanding it.”
“I can write what I want, it helps me express myself.”
“It’s good to get such positive feedback as I’m always being told I can’t do things. This gives me a bit of hope.”
Get Involved
To find out how to get involved in the creative writing sessions, please contact: