Libraries launch ‘Climate Champions’ creative writing project for children

Cheshire West and Chester Libraries have partnered with literary arts organisation, Read Now Write Now, Arts Council England and libraries in the Liverpool city region to run free creative writing workshops for children aged 7 to 11 years.

The theme for these workshops is all about climate change and will consist of live online writing workshops, recorded workshops, as well as learning resources which will be available for schools to use.

During sessions, children will hear about real life climate change concerns and write a short story of their own which will be then shared via social media, displayed in local libraries, presented on YouTube and at a special event at Liverpool Central Library (Covid dependent) to coincide with the 26^th UN Climate Change Conference in November 2021.

Working with Read Now Write Now is climate change charity, Hope for the Future, and six library services: Cheshire West and Chester; Halton; Liverpool; St Helens; Sefton and Wirral.

Charlie Lea from Read Now Write Now said: “Climate Change is and will be the major issue affecting our world, children and young people are, quite rightly, concerned about the future.

“The aim of this project is to help them write powerful stories which can reach out to everyone and highlight and persuade others what they must do to save our planet so that we can all become true climate champions ourselves.”

Cabinet member for Housing, Planning and Climate Emergency, Councillor Matt Bryan said: “I’m delighted our library service is involved in this important project.

“The focus on the environment mirrors the Council’s commitment towards sustainability and tackling the Climate Emergency.  Our library service will have a stand at the Big Green Week Festival at Grosvenor Park in Chester on Saturday 25 September between 11am and 4pm.”

Cheshire West and Chester Council declared a Climate Emergency in 2019 and has developed a Climate Emergency Response Plan that sets out the actions needed for the borough to become carbon neutral by 2045, including how residents can play their part.

All live courses will take place online via Zoom and there will be a maximum of 20 free places on each course with registration on a first come, first served basis.

The live courses will be held on:

Wednesdays, 5pm to 6.30pm starting 29 September 2021 for four weeks

Thursdays, 5pm to 6.30pm starting 30 September 2021 for four weeks

Saturdays, 11am to 12.30pm starting 2 October 2021 for four weeks

There will also be a live course via Zoom during half term from Monday 25 October to Thursday 28 October from 10am to 11.30am.

If you are interested in any of the above courses, email charles@readnowwritenow.org.uk for more information, or to book and register.

Pre-recorded courses will be available from 20 September from:

www.readnowwritenow.org.uk