Scribble - Issue 22

EE
FR
INDEPENDENCE
22 Spring
2017
Creative Writing
& Arts Magazine
Scribble
Magazine
HELLO!
Scribble is part of the Tell Us Another Scribble Magazine
c/o Tell Us Another One
One creative writing project run by
Cartwheel Arts
Cartwheel Arts in the North West of 110 Manchester Street
England. Heywood Hello and goodbye. Parting is such sweet sorrow.
OL10 1DW So, we have reached the end of this run of Scribble Magazine. Like the
The project operates in the Greater Littlest Hobo; maybe tomorrow, we’ll want to settle down, until tomorrow,
Telephone
Manchester Boroughs of Rochdale, 01706 361 300 we’ll just keep moving on.
Bury and Oldham and is funded by Big We still have a jam-packed issue for you. Speaking of which, Chris Jam
Editor has written us a review of the second Bilingual Authors project at Kingsway
Lottery and supported by each borough Paul Stanley
respectively. TUAO@cartwheelarts.org.uk
Park High School and Danielle Porter reports from our Power in Your
Pocket project.
We run monthly creative writing groups www.tellusanotherone.org Each of our creative writing group facilitators has chosen a member
for adults in locations around the three from their groups to write about. We hope their stories will inspire you
boroughs considered to be in need of 1 to get writing as well as showcasing the need for the groups in our area.
cultural provision. Rebecca Lupton has completed her project photographing our glam-
orous group members. We hope you like the pics we selected.
These groups are free and open to We have all new flash-fiction from Jack Stocker as well as the usual
everyone with no previous experience submissions from our writing groups.
of creative writing needed. You don’t
need to have perfect grammar or for
your first language to be English. Printed by Olympic Press
www.olympicpress.co.uk
If you’re interested in creative writing Scribble is published by
and would like to work with professional Cartwheel Arts. All rights reserved
writers and meet other people in your Reproduction in whole or part
without written permission is strictly
area, your local Tell Us Another One
prohibited.
group is waiting to welcome you. Paul Stanley
Editor
S c r i bbl e
Scribble
Magazine
HELLO!
Scribble is part of the Tell Us Another Scribble Magazine
c/o Tell Us Another One
One creative writing project run by
Cartwheel Arts
Cartwheel Arts in the North West of 110 Manchester Street
England. Heywood Hello and goodbye. Parting is such sweet sorrow.
OL10 1DW So, we have reached the end of this run of Scribble Magazine. Like the
The project operates in the Greater Littlest Hobo; maybe tomorrow, we’ll want to settle down, until tomorrow,
Telephone
Manchester Boroughs of Rochdale, 01706 361 300 we’ll just keep moving on.
Bury and Oldham and is funded by Big We still have a jam-packed issue for you. Speaking of which, Chris Jam
Editor has written us a review of the second Bilingual Authors project at Kingsway
Lottery and supported by each borough Paul Stanley
respectively. TUAO@cartwheelarts.org.uk
Park High School and Danielle Porter reports from our Power in Your
Pocket project.
We run monthly creative writing groups www.tellusanotherone.org Each of our creative writing group facilitators has chosen a member
for adults in locations around the three from their groups to write about. We hope their stories will inspire you
boroughs considered to be in need of 1 to get writing as well as showcasing the need for the groups in our area.
cultural provision. Rebecca Lupton has completed her project photographing our glam-
orous group members. We hope you like the pics we selected.
These groups are free and open to We have all new flash-fiction from Jack Stocker as well as the usual
everyone with no previous experience submissions from our writing groups.
of creative writing needed. You don’t
need to have perfect grammar or for
your first language to be English. Printed by Olympic Press
www.olympicpress.co.uk
If you’re interested in creative writing Scribble is published by
and would like to work with professional Cartwheel Arts. All rights reserved
writers and meet other people in your Reproduction in whole or part
without written permission is strictly
area, your local Tell Us Another One
prohibited.
group is waiting to welcome you. Paul Stanley
Editor
S c r i bbl e
Shellah is a member of the Spotland
writers’ group. For more portraits by
Rebecca Lupton, turn to page 20 for
our Meet the Writers feature.
4 Report: Power In Your Pocket
6 Report: Case Studies
18 Jack Stocker: Human Contact

2 3
20 Meet the Writers: Spotland, Dumers Lane & Seedfield
29 Selected Submissions
42 Report: Bilingual Authors
46 Rick Walker: Another Cliffhanger Ending!
S cr i b b l e S c r i bbl e
Shellah is a member of the Spotland
writers’ group. For more portraits by
Rebecca Lupton, turn to page 20 for
our Meet the Writers feature.
4 Report: Power In Your Pocket
6 Report: Case Studies
18 Jack Stocker: Human Contact

2 3
20 Meet the Writers: Spotland, Dumers Lane & Seedfield
29 Selected Submissions
42 Report: Bilingual Authors
46 Rick Walker: Another Cliffhanger Ending!
R ep o rt R e p ort
Power In Your Pocket was a creative writing and

digital arts project funded by Big Lottery Fund
and Rochdale Cohesion Hub. Parents from across
Rochdale Borough worked with writers and artists
using technology at their fingertips to produce a
book and online content about being a parent.
Photograph by Rebecca Lupton.
The participating parents hailed from Darnhill, Deeplish, Kirkholt and

Langley, and met once a week for seven sessions from January to March.
In that time they wrote poems, songs, letters of love and advice, they also
performed and created the artwork, with their children even having a go.
The projects final celebration was a book launch and live reading amongst
family and the projects key partners. You can find out more here:
Read the book — cartwheelarts.org.uk/event/power-in-your-pocket5 4 5

Read our blog — www.tellusanotherone.org
See photos of the project — www.flickr.com/photos/cartwheelarts
POWER
Hear some of their work — www.audioboom.com/cartwheelarts
One of the artists Courtney Hayles said “Not only are they funny, quick
witted and focused, they are also courageous, brave and honest writers
who tell the most heart-warming stories about parenthood. I cannot thank
them enough for the love that comes with every stroke of ink to the paper.”
Participating writers and artists involved included:

Writer Michelle Green, musician Claire Mooney, performance poet
IN
YOUR
Shamshad Khan, poet and communications coach Courtney Hayles and
Filmmaker Nick Farrimond.
POCKET
This article was written by Danielle Porter, co-Project
Coordinator of Tell Us Another One. Her background is in
broadcasting and community engagement.
R ep o rt R e p ort
Power In Your Pocket was a creative writing and

digital arts project funded by Big Lottery Fund
and Rochdale Cohesion Hub. Parents from across
Rochdale Borough worked with writers and artists
using technology at their fingertips to produce a
book and online content about being a parent.
Photograph by Rebecca Lupton.
The participating parents hailed from Darnhill, Deeplish, Kirkholt and

Langley, and met once a week for seven sessions from January to March.
In that time they wrote poems, songs, letters of love and advice, they also
performed and created the artwork, with their children even having a go.
The projects final celebration was a book launch and live reading amongst
family and the projects key partners. You can find out more here:
Read the book — cartwheelarts.org.uk/event/power-in-your-pocket5 4 5

Read our blog — www.tellusanotherone.org
See photos of the project — www.flickr.com/photos/cartwheelarts
POWER
Hear some of their work — www.audioboom.com/cartwheelarts
One of the artists Courtney Hayles said “Not only are they funny, quick
witted and focused, they are also courageous, brave and honest writers
who tell the most heart-warming stories about parenthood. I cannot thank
them enough for the love that comes with every stroke of ink to the paper.”
Participating writers and artists involved included:

Writer Michelle Green, musician Claire Mooney, performance poet
IN
YOUR
Shamshad Khan, poet and communications coach Courtney Hayles and
Filmmaker Nick Farrimond.
POCKET
This article was written by Danielle Porter, co-Project
Coordinator of Tell Us Another One. Her background is in
broadcasting and community engagement.
Ca s e Study C as e St udy
Phil Barling is a Cartwheel Arts Writer, through
CASE
and through. He is a regular attender at the Dumers
Lane Writing Group and he also frequents other
Cartwheel groups. For this case study, Reece
Williams sat down with Phil and had a chat with
him about his considerable experience at Tell Us
Another One.
During his time at Cartwheel (well over 7 years), Phil has developed a really
distinct style of writing. His work reflects on culture and all its nuances, be
it the demise of analogue music, family and relationships and the strength
of community. Phil is primarily a poet but he is also an adept short story
writer and keen music reviewer. Above all, he’s a real gent and a massive
community asset.
Phil really relishes the opportunity to benefit from the guidance offered 6 7
What would you say is the most enjoyable aspect of the project
STUDY
by the professional Cartwheel Arts facilitators and he also steps in to
is?
deliver workshops at Dumers Lane when Reece Williams (lead facilitator
I’m not sure whether enjoyable and challenging can mean the same
at Dumers) isn’t around.
thing... [laughs] …the spontaneity and the craft of the workshop idea is
very stimulating, very challenging. So I enjoy that. It’s just the immediate
What does it mean to be a part of TUAO, Phil?
connection with other people. It can provide inspirational moments that
Well, it’s basically a place that provides a forum for everyone to connect.
we all take away and remember. It drives us forward in our everyday lives.
To respond to our fellow writers with our emotions. It enables us and
defines us and helps us to celebrate our community. Without this project
What do you want to see from the project in the future and why
there’s no connections-no cohesion. It brings us together and stops us
is it important?
from staying at home and just turning to dust.
I think you’d have to have some kind of think tank for people to put
forward their ideas of what they would personally want to see in terms
What impact has the project had on your life?
of style. You know, whether it should be more… leaning towards teaching,
It’s reminded us that there are more things that unites us than things
rather than people just reading… but what is great about it is that it draws
that divide us – no matter where we come from. It’s provided a platform
from us all thoughts and ideas that we didn’t even know were there. And
for us to say what we want and need to say, as well as getting us out of
I think if we lose that (TUAO and its impact on participants) we’ve lost a
the house!
lot. I’ll just say that if you take the art from the community… you turn our
We as a society talk a lot about social cohesion, and this project actually
towns in to cultural wastelands and I think that’s the danger that we’re
exemplifies social cohesiveness in action.
facing. — (S)
Phil Barling is a Cartwheel Arts Writer, through
CASE
and through. He is a regular attender at the Dumers
Lane Writing Group and he also frequents other
Cartwheel groups. For this case study, Reece
Williams sat down with Phil and had a chat with
him about his considerable experience at Tell Us
Another One.
During his time at Cartwheel (well over 7 years), Phil has developed a really
distinct style of writing. His work reflects on culture and all its nuances, be
it the demise of analogue music, family and relationships and the strength
of community. Phil is primarily a poet but he is also an adept short story
writer and keen music reviewer. Above all, he’s a real gent and a massive
community asset.
Phil really relishes the opportunity to benefit from the guidance offered 6 7
What would you say is the most enjoyable aspect of the project
STUDY
by the professional Cartwheel Arts facilitators and he also steps in to
is?
deliver workshops at Dumers Lane when Reece Williams (lead facilitator
I’m not sure whether enjoyable and challenging can mean the same
at Dumers) isn’t around.
thing... [laughs] …the spontaneity and the craft of the workshop idea is
very stimulating, very challenging. So I enjoy that. It’s just the immediate
What does it mean to be a part of TUAO, Phil?
connection with other people. It can provide inspirational moments that
Well, it’s basically a place that provides a forum for everyone to connect.
we all take away and remember. It drives us forward in our everyday lives.
To respond to our fellow writers with our emotions. It enables us and
defines us and helps us to celebrate our community. Without this project
What do you want to see from the project in the future and why
there’s no connections-no cohesion. It brings us together and stops us
is it important?
from staying at home and just turning to dust.
I think you’d have to have some kind of think tank for people to put
forward their ideas of what they would personally want to see in terms
What impact has the project had on your life?
of style. You know, whether it should be more… leaning towards teaching,
It’s reminded us that there are more things that unites us than things
rather than people just reading… but what is great about it is that it draws
that divide us – no matter where we come from. It’s provided a platform
from us all thoughts and ideas that we didn’t even know were there. And
for us to say what we want and need to say, as well as getting us out of
I think if we lose that (TUAO and its impact on participants) we’ve lost a
the house!
lot. I’ll just say that if you take the art from the community… you turn our
We as a society talk a lot about social cohesion, and this project actually
towns in to cultural wastelands and I think that’s the danger that we’re
exemplifies social cohesiveness in action.
facing. — (S)
promises to attend next time. Attiya has been fundamental in running the
CASE
group. She is committed, hard working and always has a smile on her face.
She helps everyone write, especially those who are struggling. Working
with her has taught me so much about how to be with people – how to
give without condition.
Attiya was the obvious choice for this study. From when I first met
her it’s been a joy to see her flourish as the group has grown and the
members have progressed with their writing and confidence. We have
been lucky enough to attend many events and deliver several projects
taking the group members far and wide, attending literary events, from
Scribble Festival to a recipe book on using up left overs which included
the women’s stories and recycling hints.
Another project was a play called ‘Village Girl’. This was a story created
from the personal stories of all the members of the group. Most had
arrived in the UK through marriages arranged when they lived in Pakistan.
They all had in common the challenge of leaving behind all that they knew
and arriving in a new country alone, away from their families. The story
8 9 was about overcoming obstacles and making a success of life.
STUDY
When we had completed the script, I made a list of the props and was
pondering on where I would buy everything. Attiya asked me to wait. She
left with her sister Shagufta. They were gone less than half an hour and
returned with everything on the list. They had raided their own homes
Anjum Malik has facilitated Deeplish Story Group for the props. This is a typical example of Attiya dealing with everything
for the last six years. Here she writes about her immediately and getting things done. She knew how important the story
experience of working alongside Attiya Malik, a was to the group and did what was needed to make it happen.
community champion for Cartwheel’s Rochdale Its been amazing working with Attiya over the past 6 years. I have
writers’ groups. seen her develop as a writer and group leader, gaining confidence and
skills. Attiya has shown that women like her will flourish when given the
environment to learn in.
“In the group we meet once a month. Attiya always rings and reminds
Attiya is a mother and wife, who runs a child minding service and every us day before. This group helps me to do my writing again. Because for
month helps me by calling each and every member of the group to remind a long time I never write anything. I was busy helping my family. I get my
them of the writing workshop. She helps them get to Deeplish Community confidence in writing. Anjum and Attiya are very good and help us write
Centre, she may drive them, or arrange for some to travel together. She different stories over time. ” — Group member
always knows what’s going on. She tells me who is coming, why some
members can’t come, and why some have sent apologies, with love and
promises to attend next time. Attiya has been fundamental in running the
CASE
group. She is committed, hard working and always has a smile on her face.
She helps everyone write, especially those who are struggling. Working
with her has taught me so much about how to be with people – how to
give without condition.
Attiya was the obvious choice for this study. From when I first met
her it’s been a joy to see her flourish as the group has grown and the
members have progressed with their writing and confidence. We have
been lucky enough to attend many events and deliver several projects
taking the group members far and wide, attending literary events, from
Scribble Festival to a recipe book on using up left overs which included
the women’s stories and recycling hints.
Another project was a play called ‘Village Girl’. This was a story created
from the personal stories of all the members of the group. Most had
arrived in the UK through marriages arranged when they lived in Pakistan.
They all had in common the challenge of leaving behind all that they knew
and arriving in a new country alone, away from their families. The story
8 9 was about overcoming obstacles and making a success of life.
STUDY
When we had completed the script, I made a list of the props and was
pondering on where I would buy everything. Attiya asked me to wait. She
left with her sister Shagufta. They were gone less than half an hour and
returned with everything on the list. They had raided their own homes
Anjum Malik has facilitated Deeplish Story Group for the props. This is a typical example of Attiya dealing with everything
for the last six years. Here she writes about her immediately and getting things done. She knew how important the story
experience of working alongside Attiya Malik, a was to the group and did what was needed to make it happen.
community champion for Cartwheel’s Rochdale Its been amazing working with Attiya over the past 6 years. I have
writers’ groups. seen her develop as a writer and group leader, gaining confidence and
skills. Attiya has shown that women like her will flourish when given the
environment to learn in.
“In the group we meet once a month. Attiya always rings and reminds
Attiya is a mother and wife, who runs a child minding service and every us day before. This group helps me to do my writing again. Because for
month helps me by calling each and every member of the group to remind a long time I never write anything. I was busy helping my family. I get my
them of the writing workshop. She helps them get to Deeplish Community confidence in writing. Anjum and Attiya are very good and help us write
Centre, she may drive them, or arrange for some to travel together. She different stories over time. ” — Group member
always knows what’s going on. She tells me who is coming, why some
members can’t come, and why some have sent apologies, with love and
Michelle Green has facilitated the LGBT Writers’
CASE
Group from the beginning. She has been talking to
one of it’s most prolific contributors, Oliver Waite.
What do you want to see in the future from Cartwheel Arts?
I’d like to do some intersectionality work. As in it would be great if there
is already say groups similar to the LGBT group for disabled people, or
people of colour to work with them at times. Lots of LGBT people fit into
another minority group, and even if not to work with other minority groups
to learn more about that group and how to be a better ally if you are not
What does being a member of a Cartwheel creative writing
part of that minority group. Obviously not everyone would fit into all the
group mean to you?
different categories, but often learning through media such as creative
It is about having a shared connection in one aspect of your life (in this
writing is a great way to learn. If there aren’t groups for other minority’s
case being LGBT) and that one thing brings you together, but you also
already then it would be great to see some, in terms of working together
meet a group of diverse people and explore different ways to write and all
and separate ones, in terms of going to other groups. — (S)
come up with different ideas. It is about belonging and having a safe space
which is for LGBT people, which isn’t about drinking or clubbing or loud
music and lots of people. It is about belonging to the LGBT community
* * *
but with other people who also enjoy creative writing.
10 11
STUDY
How has it impacted on your life and your writing?
It has made me realise that I am not completely useless and a failure
at creative writing. At school I was made to feel stupid because I was Carol McGowan is a regular attender at Darnhill
expected to work one certain way and if you didn’t you were doing it Writers, which has been facilitated for three years by
wrong. As I couldn’t work that certain way (due to being autistic and Shirley May. Here Shirley reflects on conversations
neurodivergent) I was basically told I was a failure at creative writing. To with Carol and her approach to writing.
be in a group where you can work your way with no judgement is great,
whether that is in terms of how you actually write down your pieces (e.g.
Paper, iPad etc) or just how you get to the end goal. When a task is set,
or talked about if I am confused people are willing to try and explain it to
me multiple times, if I still don’t understand I might try to get to the end
goal a different way, or I may not do it. None of that is a problem, I am Carol is a woman who would tell you that she is not a writer. However, she
made to feel like my contribution is enough whatever it is. It has made loves to read books and often raids the stock at Darnhill Library, where
me realise that I can write poetry to a standard where people say I am she first heard about Tell Us Another One. She has worked with Cartwheel
talented at it and I use these poems to express myself. It is also great just Arts for a number of years and is a regular attender at Darnhill Festival,
being in an environment doing creative writing where I am not an anxious which is produced in partnership with Cartwheel.
wreck and my disabilities are not seen as a weakness or a problem and I Carol says of the writing group “I love the monthly workshops. It’s the
am not made to do things a certain way that I just cannot. only place that I feel that I can write. Writing at home is virtually impossible
Michelle Green has facilitated the LGBT Writers’
CASE
Group from the beginning. She has been talking to
one of it’s most prolific contributors, Oliver Waite.
What do you want to see in the future from Cartwheel Arts?
I’d like to do some intersectionality work. As in it would be great if there
is already say groups similar to the LGBT group for disabled people, or
people of colour to work with them at times. Lots of LGBT people fit into
another minority group, and even if not to work with other minority groups
to learn more about that group and how to be a better ally if you are not
What does being a member of a Cartwheel creative writing
part of that minority group. Obviously not everyone would fit into all the
group mean to you?
different categories, but often learning through media such as creative
It is about having a shared connection in one aspect of your life (in this
writing is a great way to learn. If there aren’t groups for other minority’s
case being LGBT) and that one thing brings you together, but you also
already then it would be great to see some, in terms of working together
meet a group of diverse people and explore different ways to write and all
and separate ones, in terms of going to other groups. — (S)
come up with different ideas. It is about belonging and having a safe space
which is for LGBT people, which isn’t about drinking or clubbing or loud
music and lots of people. It is about belonging to the LGBT community
* * *
but with other people who also enjoy creative writing.
10 11
STUDY
How has it impacted on your life and your writing?
It has made me realise that I am not completely useless and a failure
at creative writing. At school I was made to feel stupid because I was Carol McGowan is a regular attender at Darnhill
expected to work one certain way and if you didn’t you were doing it Writers, which has been facilitated for three years by
wrong. As I couldn’t work that certain way (due to being autistic and Shirley May. Here Shirley reflects on conversations
neurodivergent) I was basically told I was a failure at creative writing. To with Carol and her approach to writing.
be in a group where you can work your way with no judgement is great,
whether that is in terms of how you actually write down your pieces (e.g.
Paper, iPad etc) or just how you get to the end goal. When a task is set,
or talked about if I am confused people are willing to try and explain it to
me multiple times, if I still don’t understand I might try to get to the end
goal a different way, or I may not do it. None of that is a problem, I am Carol is a woman who would tell you that she is not a writer. However, she
made to feel like my contribution is enough whatever it is. It has made loves to read books and often raids the stock at Darnhill Library, where
me realise that I can write poetry to a standard where people say I am she first heard about Tell Us Another One. She has worked with Cartwheel
talented at it and I use these poems to express myself. It is also great just Arts for a number of years and is a regular attender at Darnhill Festival,
being in an environment doing creative writing where I am not an anxious which is produced in partnership with Cartwheel.
wreck and my disabilities are not seen as a weakness or a problem and I Carol says of the writing group “I love the monthly workshops. It’s the
am not made to do things a certain way that I just cannot. only place that I feel that I can write. Writing at home is virtually impossible
Shamshad khan is a poet and resilience coach who
CASE
has facilitated Spotland Story Group for over six
because of the nature of my household. The two hours a month are years. She has been talking to group regular Shellah
something I see as my time. This excludes family and other responsibilities Tasab.
that I have. It’s a time that I wouldn’t give up easily.”
Carol uses the workshops to respond to the writing stimuli which I
provide as the workshop facilitator. We have been looking at literature
from around the world, introducing the group to writing from a broad
canon of poetry and short stories. We use inspirational lines to get the
writers, including Carol, to think about their own stories.
Carol, by her own admission, was not always a confident writer, but “I surprise myself every time I come. At the end I go home and I’ve got this
would always have a go. She began to see her stories and poems as a way thing I’ve written, I can’t believe it.” says Shellah Tasab about her experience
to reflect on her own life and use memoir as a creative tool. Her work of attending Spotland Story Group. “It makes me feel a lot happier and
has become provocative and intriguing as she talks about her early life as confident and I’ve discovered lots of skills about myself.”
a looked after child. She wants to develop her stories so that they can be For many years now I’ve had the pleasure of working with the group and
of use and inspiration to others experiencing the same challenges. the privilege of seeing the developments Shellah and others have made.
“Even though the funding may run out for the workshops, I believe I was spoilt for choice in terms of who to focus on for this interview as
that we should continue as a group if the library will give us the space. I 12 13 many of the participants have made incredible progress and achieved new
STUDY
also believe coming into contact with a leader of colour has informed me heights in their independent creative ventures.
that although we are different nationalities, skin colour does not mean Born in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Shellah came to England aged 18 after
that we do not share similar stories. We are all the same.” her marriage and has lived in Rochdale for twenty five years. Like many
She also says that Cartwheel has helped her by exposing her to different of the other women she juggles the demands of family life and taking
workshop leaders including Chris Nelson, Reece Williams and Anjum Malik. out time for herself. She has six children and has worked as a dinner lady
She believes that the socialisation that she’s gained from being part of and attended courses including a one week residential at the Joan Miro
the Darnhill group has not only enhanced her writing and style but given foundation arts course in Majorca.
her a sense of wellbeing, and of being part of a community of writers. I quickly recognised that Shellah was particularly articulate and made
She believes that being given a safe space to share her work has caused excellent contributions in helping me translate and interpret between
her to make long lasting friendships that have massively encouraged her English and Urdu. This particularly came to light when I was doing trans-
to develop as a community writer. Carol feels more than equipped to lations of “The Arabian Nights”. To encourage her further, I asked Shellah
share her work on paper and then to share it in public and has done in to translate sections of the story as part of the project “Different Moons”
the past at Tell Us Another One Scribble Festivals. She would like to see I was working on at the time.
the project continue to exist and gain additional funding as it has become “It was special to me because I always liked translating. I didn’t think I
a vital part of her monthly routine. — (S) was that good. You kept telling me, but it didn’t seem real to me…. The
Shamshad khan is a poet and resilience coach who
CASE
has facilitated Spotland Story Group for over six
because of the nature of my household. The two hours a month are years. She has been talking to group regular Shellah
something I see as my time. This excludes family and other responsibilities Tasab.
that I have. It’s a time that I wouldn’t give up easily.”
Carol uses the workshops to respond to the writing stimuli which I
provide as the workshop facilitator. We have been looking at literature
from around the world, introducing the group to writing from a broad
canon of poetry and short stories. We use inspirational lines to get the
writers, including Carol, to think about their own stories.
Carol, by her own admission, was not always a confident writer, but “I surprise myself every time I come. At the end I go home and I’ve got this
would always have a go. She began to see her stories and poems as a way thing I’ve written, I can’t believe it.” says Shellah Tasab about her experience
to reflect on her own life and use memoir as a creative tool. Her work of attending Spotland Story Group. “It makes me feel a lot happier and
has become provocative and intriguing as she talks about her early life as confident and I’ve discovered lots of skills about myself.”
a looked after child. She wants to develop her stories so that they can be For many years now I’ve had the pleasure of working with the group and
of use and inspiration to others experiencing the same challenges. the privilege of seeing the developments Shellah and others have made.
“Even though the funding may run out for the workshops, I believe I was spoilt for choice in terms of who to focus on for this interview as
that we should continue as a group if the library will give us the space. I 12 13 many of the participants have made incredible progress and achieved new
STUDY
also believe coming into contact with a leader of colour has informed me heights in their independent creative ventures.
that although we are different nationalities, skin colour does not mean Born in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Shellah came to England aged 18 after
that we do not share similar stories. We are all the same.” her marriage and has lived in Rochdale for twenty five years. Like many
She also says that Cartwheel has helped her by exposing her to different of the other women she juggles the demands of family life and taking
workshop leaders including Chris Nelson, Reece Williams and Anjum Malik. out time for herself. She has six children and has worked as a dinner lady
She believes that the socialisation that she’s gained from being part of and attended courses including a one week residential at the Joan Miro
the Darnhill group has not only enhanced her writing and style but given foundation arts course in Majorca.
her a sense of wellbeing, and of being part of a community of writers. I quickly recognised that Shellah was particularly articulate and made
She believes that being given a safe space to share her work has caused excellent contributions in helping me translate and interpret between
her to make long lasting friendships that have massively encouraged her English and Urdu. This particularly came to light when I was doing trans-
to develop as a community writer. Carol feels more than equipped to lations of “The Arabian Nights”. To encourage her further, I asked Shellah
share her work on paper and then to share it in public and has done in to translate sections of the story as part of the project “Different Moons”
the past at Tell Us Another One Scribble Festivals. She would like to see I was working on at the time.
the project continue to exist and gain additional funding as it has become “It was special to me because I always liked translating. I didn’t think I
a vital part of her monthly routine. — (S) was that good. You kept telling me, but it didn’t seem real to me…. The
CASE
women there complimented me, said I was really good. I felt so proud, so
confident. I can actually do this, it’s not just Shamshad telling me!”
With this experience under her belt, Shellah readily volunteered for
the next opportunity, this time to go on a Manchester based radio station
ALL FM.
“It was a very different experience. I’d never been to a radio station
before or recorded anything.” She is beaming. “Makes you feel happy
and proud. Oh yes, I recorded that, that’s me.” She doesn’t stop there.
“Crescent Radio are looking for volunteers. I’m thinking I might go.”
As well as the confidence and skills she’s developed, Shellah like others
who attend have expressed how the sessions help their wellbeing. “All
these sessions keep me out of a lot of the depression that’s in my family.
Whilst me, I’m the lucky one, who doesn’t have it and the group helps a lot!”
The benefits do not end with her, not surprisingly there are benefits
for her family. “After I’ve been here, I’m a lot better with my children too.
14 15
When we get something printed in the magazine or a photo, my kids are
STUDY
so proud. So it has a massive impact on my life.” She jokes with me. “If
only it could cure my forgetfulness!”
Shellah has strong feelings about the benefits to the group of having
trained facilitators. “I would absolutely love for it to continue. Having
you here makes a massive difference. Usually when I come I’m blank, you
always point me in the right direction.”
Saying that, Shellah would love individuals in the group to have op-
portunities to develop their skills. She suggests they deliver sessions for
schools, closely supported by the facilitators.
With this depth of endorsement and these far reaching benefits in terms
of wellbeing and access to potential employment that the arts offers, it
would make sense for funders and the government to invest more not
less into projects like the Story Groups. How could we possibly disappoint
Shellah and others like her who look forward to the sessions so much?
“I feel excited and happy, specially to see everyone, thinking about
what’s going to be the next topic.”. — (S)
CASE
women there complimented me, said I was really good. I felt so proud, so
confident. I can actually do this, it’s not just Shamshad telling me!”
With this experience under her belt, Shellah readily volunteered for
the next opportunity, this time to go on a Manchester based radio station
ALL FM.
“It was a very different experience. I’d never been to a radio station
before or recorded anything.” She is beaming. “Makes you feel happy
and proud. Oh yes, I recorded that, that’s me.” She doesn’t stop there.
“Crescent Radio are looking for volunteers. I’m thinking I might go.”
As well as the confidence and skills she’s developed, Shellah like others
who attend have expressed how the sessions help their wellbeing. “All
these sessions keep me out of a lot of the depression that’s in my family.
Whilst me, I’m the lucky one, who doesn’t have it and the group helps a lot!”
The benefits do not end with her, not surprisingly there are benefits
for her family. “After I’ve been here, I’m a lot better with my children too.
14 15
When we get something printed in the magazine or a photo, my kids are
STUDY
so proud. So it has a massive impact on my life.” She jokes with me. “If
only it could cure my forgetfulness!”
Shellah has strong feelings about the benefits to the group of having
trained facilitators. “I would absolutely love for it to continue. Having
you here makes a massive difference. Usually when I come I’m blank, you
always point me in the right direction.”
Saying that, Shellah would love individuals in the group to have op-
portunities to develop their skills. She suggests they deliver sessions for
schools, closely supported by the facilitators.
With this depth of endorsement and these far reaching benefits in terms
of wellbeing and access to potential employment that the arts offers, it
would make sense for funders and the government to invest more not
less into projects like the Story Groups. How could we possibly disappoint
Shellah and others like her who look forward to the sessions so much?
“I feel excited and happy, specially to see everyone, thinking about
what’s going to be the next topic.”. — (S)
Anjum Malik is a lecturer, script writer and poet,
CASE
and facilitator of Seedfield Writers. She has been
talking to Fran Ardern, a regular member of the
group.
“I get excited every time I attend the writing workshop”, Fran tells me,
with a cheeky twinkle in her eye. When I ask her how long has she been
attending Seedfield Writing Group, her reply is typical and indicative of
the happy, approachable, fun person she is.
“Since 1066”.
We try and work out together how long, and settle on around five to
six years.
I remember Fran arriving for one of the early meetings we had at
16 17
STUDY
Moorside Library in Bury. She really does light up the room. She is the
butt of her own jokes first and foremost. Her humour comes through atmosphere. This gives the members confidence and a place to move
her writing. She writes incredibly funny, yet personal, deep and moving forward with their writing.”
poems and stories. She’s been through some tough personal situations “Fran often sees things in her own unique way, offering a very different
in the years she has been coming. But she very rarely misses a session perspective.”
and has written her way through her difficult times. “Fran has enthusiasm in buckets. Humour in barrowloads. And a sense
“It gets you out of the house, gives you a new slant on the day. It’s a of companionship which puts people at ease. When she encouraged me
meeting of like minds and exchange of ideas. A wonder of the different to come to this group, I fell into step quite naturally. Being a member of
stories and poems of different people. The group gives me an audience in this group feeds my writing, giving me a sounding board and critique from
the people who attend. An acceptance of my efforts. I feel I’m a member others. All of them are individual writers in their own right and unique
of a ‘special people’”. voices.”
When I was asked to write this study about Fran, I asked her fellow “Fran provides humour and irrelevance and healthy disinterest for the
group members what they would say about her: literary status. I don’t think she knows how good she is.”
“Fran has been instrumental in encouraging new members to join the Recently Fran was invited by an established writers’ group in Fylde to
group. To come and become involved. It is through her commitment and do a reading of her work. They offered her a fee, plus travel and a lovely
enthusiasm that the group thrives.” meal. Fran, like the other members in the group, has come a long way in
“It is important for budding writers to be involved in a supportive her writings. Through their commitment, passion and enthusiasm they
and co- operative group, where your ideas are valued and appreciat- are now putting together a poetry collection and regularly performing
ed. Seedfield is such a group. It provides a friendly, encouraging, safe readings of their work by invitation. — (S)
Anjum Malik is a lecturer, script writer and poet,
CASE
and facilitator of Seedfield Writers. She has been
talking to Fran Ardern, a regular member of the
group.
“I get excited every time I attend the writing workshop”, Fran tells me,
with a cheeky twinkle in her eye. When I ask her how long has she been
attending Seedfield Writing Group, her reply is typical and indicative of
the happy, approachable, fun person she is.
“Since 1066”.
We try and work out together how long, and settle on around five to
six years.
I remember Fran arriving for one of the early meetings we had at
16 17
STUDY
Moorside Library in Bury. She really does light up the room. She is the
butt of her own jokes first and foremost. Her humour comes through atmosphere. This gives the members confidence and a place to move
her writing. She writes incredibly funny, yet personal, deep and moving forward with their writing.”
poems and stories. She’s been through some tough personal situations “Fran often sees things in her own unique way, offering a very different
in the years she has been coming. But she very rarely misses a session perspective.”
and has written her way through her difficult times. “Fran has enthusiasm in buckets. Humour in barrowloads. And a sense
“It gets you out of the house, gives you a new slant on the day. It’s a of companionship which puts people at ease. When she encouraged me
meeting of like minds and exchange of ideas. A wonder of the different to come to this group, I fell into step quite naturally. Being a member of
stories and poems of different people. The group gives me an audience in this group feeds my writing, giving me a sounding board and critique from
the people who attend. An acceptance of my efforts. I feel I’m a member others. All of them are individual writers in their own right and unique
of a ‘special people’”. voices.”
When I was asked to write this study about Fran, I asked her fellow “Fran provides humour and irrelevance and healthy disinterest for the
group members what they would say about her: literary status. I don’t think she knows how good she is.”
“Fran has been instrumental in encouraging new members to join the Recently Fran was invited by an established writers’ group in Fylde to
group. To come and become involved. It is through her commitment and do a reading of her work. They offered her a fee, plus travel and a lovely
enthusiasm that the group thrives.” meal. Fran, like the other members in the group, has come a long way in
“It is important for budding writers to be involved in a supportive her writings. Through their commitment, passion and enthusiasm they
and co- operative group, where your ideas are valued and appreciat- are now putting together a poetry collection and regularly performing
ed. Seedfield is such a group. It provides a friendly, encouraging, safe readings of their work by invitation. — (S)
Fi cti o n Fi ct i on
“Close by.” she says, fighting to keep her voice steady.

He turns to smile at her. “I do envy you.”
His eyes are brown. The last Collector’s had been blue. She remembers
how they bulged from their sockets when she drove the Lightblade into
HUMAN his throat.

“Are you here on your own?”
CONTACT
He asks the question lightly, but she can hear the edge in his voice. He’s
close enough to lunge at her, but she can feel the cool metal of the hilt in
her grip in her left hand, out of his sight. She’s faster now. Stronger. No
Jack Stocker hesitating this time.
Do it.
She can see stubble under his chin; he hasn’t shaved this morning.
You have to kill him now.
S he comes here every day.

Of all the places in the city, the plaza is Olurell’s favourite. She’s
sitting halfway up her favourite set of steps, watching the light refracting
Does he live alone? Do the Collectors even have families?
I’m not going back…
Something changes in his face, and he jerks back as if he’s been struck.
from the curved glass towers, and shimmering from the wide rectangular “I’m sorry – you want to be on your own.”
pools that run across its length. When she closes her eyes, she can hear Olurell says nothing, knuckles white on the grip. He gets up quickly, his
the low hubbub of people mingling with the faint, distant rush of traffic. composure gone.
A soft, enveloping blanket of sound. 18 19 “Sorry, I hope I – sorry.”
But something’s wrong. She watches him walk across the plaza. A minute passes. Then her
It’s a faint flutter on the edge of her consciousness, something she’s breath comes flooding out of her in bursts, her heart pounding hard
learned never to ignore. Someone is watching her. enough to make her feel sick. She can suddenly feel the tracks of the tears
Olurell looks to her left, just in time to catch his eye. He’s sitting a few on her face. She was about to kill him. Murder him. Just a random stranger.
feet away, along the same step as her. He winks. She looks away, keeping It’s dangerous here, she realises. She’s dangerous. Even if the Collectors
her eyes fixed on the water. Calm. She has to stay calm. A shadow passes don’t find her here, she still can’t be near people. She has to move again.
over her. He’s blocking her light. Go, run. Find another continent. Maybe even another planet.
“Mind if I sit here?” Olurell takes a deep breath, steadying herself. Then she stands up, and
Yes. YES! No – calm. walks away from the water. She doesn’t look back. — (S)
She looks up and smiles. “Sure.”
He sits down beside her, resting his forearm on one knee. He’s young,
attractive; at ease. All Collectors are.
“Just wonderful, isn’t it?” he sighs. Jack is a copywriter and enthusiasm enthusiast based in
Just breathe normally. Breathe. Don’t let him see. Manchester. He has been writing creatively since the age
of 12, and writing coherently since the age of 15. His other
“It’s beautiful.” she agrees. Her scars are itching. She runs her tongue
hobbies include playing video games, fruitlessly learning
over her incisors. Blunt. Human. to play the guitar, and trying to remember why he came
“Do you live here?” upstairs.
He doesn’t know. Everything’s fine.
Fi cti o n Fi ct i on
“Close by.” she says, fighting to keep her voice steady.

He turns to smile at her. “I do envy you.”
His eyes are brown. The last Collector’s had been blue. She remembers
how they bulged from their sockets when she drove the Lightblade into
HUMAN his throat.

“Are you here on your own?”
CONTACT
He asks the question lightly, but she can hear the edge in his voice. He’s
close enough to lunge at her, but she can feel the cool metal of the hilt in
her grip in her left hand, out of his sight. She’s faster now. Stronger. No
Jack Stocker hesitating this time.
Do it.
She can see stubble under his chin; he hasn’t shaved this morning.
You have to kill him now.
S he comes here every day.

Of all the places in the city, the plaza is Olurell’s favourite. She’s
sitting halfway up her favourite set of steps, watching the light refracting
Does he live alone? Do the Collectors even have families?
I’m not going back…
Something changes in his face, and he jerks back as if he’s been struck.
from the curved glass towers, and shimmering from the wide rectangular “I’m sorry – you want to be on your own.”
pools that run across its length. When she closes her eyes, she can hear Olurell says nothing, knuckles white on the grip. He gets up quickly, his
the low hubbub of people mingling with the faint, distant rush of traffic. composure gone.
A soft, enveloping blanket of sound. 18 19 “Sorry, I hope I – sorry.”
But something’s wrong. She watches him walk across the plaza. A minute passes. Then her
It’s a faint flutter on the edge of her consciousness, something she’s breath comes flooding out of her in bursts, her heart pounding hard
learned never to ignore. Someone is watching her. enough to make her feel sick. She can suddenly feel the tracks of the tears
Olurell looks to her left, just in time to catch his eye. He’s sitting a few on her face. She was about to kill him. Murder him. Just a random stranger.
feet away, along the same step as her. He winks. She looks away, keeping It’s dangerous here, she realises. She’s dangerous. Even if the Collectors
her eyes fixed on the water. Calm. She has to stay calm. A shadow passes don’t find her here, she still can’t be near people. She has to move again.
over her. He’s blocking her light. Go, run. Find another continent. Maybe even another planet.
“Mind if I sit here?” Olurell takes a deep breath, steadying herself. Then she stands up, and
Yes. YES! No – calm. walks away from the water. She doesn’t look back. — (S)
She looks up and smiles. “Sure.”
He sits down beside her, resting his forearm on one knee. He’s young,
attractive; at ease. All Collectors are.
“Just wonderful, isn’t it?” he sighs. Jack is a copywriter and enthusiasm enthusiast based in
Just breathe normally. Breathe. Don’t let him see. Manchester. He has been writing creatively since the age
of 12, and writing coherently since the age of 15. His other
“It’s beautiful.” she agrees. Her scars are itching. She runs her tongue
hobbies include playing video games, fruitlessly learning
over her incisors. Blunt. Human. to play the guitar, and trying to remember why he came
“Do you live here?” upstairs.
He doesn’t know. Everything’s fine.
M eet the W r i ter s M e e t t he Wri t e r s
MEET THE
WRITERS
SPOTLAND
Photographs by
Rebecca Lupton
20 21
Opposite: Yasmin. Above: Karen.
MEET THE
WRITERS
SPOTLAND
Photographs by
Rebecca Lupton
20 21
Opposite: Yasmin. Above: Karen.
MEET THE
WRITERS
DUMERS
LANE
22 23
Above: Rakhshinda. Opposite: Jill.
MEET THE
WRITERS
DUMERS
LANE
22 23
Above: Rakhshinda. Opposite: Jill.
MEET THE
WRITERS
DEEPLISH
24 25
Above: Dumers Lane Writers. Opposite: Naseem.
MEET THE
WRITERS
DEEPLISH
24 25
Above: Dumers Lane Writers. Opposite: Naseem.
MEET THE
WRITERS
SEEDFIELD
26 27
Above: Attiya (top), Mussarat (left) and Shagufta. Opposite: Elaine.
MEET THE
WRITERS
SEEDFIELD
26 27
Above: Attiya (top), Mussarat (left) and Shagufta. Opposite: Elaine.
M eet the W r i ter s Submi s s i ons
Choices
Gillian Popplewell
My mother’s independence has been stolen.

Snatched away silently, by an invisible thief.
on the day she entered a care home.
Now someone tells her
when to rise,
what to wear,
when to eat,
where to sit.
Demands voiced as choices –
Would you like to?
It would never occur to my mother
28 29 To simply say no.
I live the hope that
one day she might.
Above: Jim (top left), Kath (top right) and Kath & Denise (bottom).
M eet the W r i ter s Submi s s i ons
Choices
Gillian Popplewell
My mother’s independence has been stolen.

Snatched away silently, by an invisible thief.
on the day she entered a care home.
Now someone tells her
when to rise,
what to wear,
when to eat,
where to sit.
Demands voiced as choices –
Would you like to?
It would never occur to my mother
28 29 To simply say no.
I live the hope that
one day she might.
Above: Jim (top left), Kath (top right) and Kath & Denise (bottom).
S ub m i s s i o n s Submi s s i ons
Freedom
Oliver Waite
You’re my freedom You’re my freedom

But others don’t see it that way My reason for less exhaustion.
But others think of you as a restriction. My reason I don’t get stuck in public and have
You’re my freedom to crawl.
But others only see what I now can’t do Yes, I can’t hike up a mountain,
You’re my freedom But without you I’d be stuck indoors.
But others don’t see the benefits. I know you’re not restricting me.
You’re my freedom: Without you, I’m restricted so much more.
less cuts and bruises. And no, I’ve not given in!
You’re my freedom: I’ve done the opposite
less falls 30 31 by accepting
You’re my freedom: you’re my freedom.
I can leave my flat.
You’re my freedom: It’s not my fault the world isn’t designed
less broken bones. for you.
You’re my freedom That ramps and lifts might not be there.
But others see you as a negative That dropped kerbs are often blocked.
You’re my freedom That places are often too narrow.
But others think you have destroyed my life. You’re still my freedom.
You’re my freedom The world just hasn’t caught up yet.
But for others you’re an embarrassment You’re my freedom.
You’re my freedom You’re my wheelchair.
But others want you gone, openly
telling me so.
You’re my freedom:
less head injuries.
less pain and danger.
Freedom
Oliver Waite

But others don’t see it that way My reason for less exhaustion.
But others think of you as a restriction. My reason I don’t get stuck in public and have
You’re my freedom to crawl.
But others only see what I now can’t do Yes, I can’t hike up a mountain,
You’re my freedom But without you I’d be stuck indoors.
But others don’t see the benefits. I know you’re not restricting me.
You’re my freedom: Without you, I’m restricted so much more.
less cuts and bruises. And no, I’ve not given in!
You’re my freedom: I’ve done the opposite
less falls 30 31 by accepting
You’re my freedom: you’re my freedom.
I can leave my flat.
You’re my freedom: It’s not my fault the world isn’t designed
less broken bones. for you.
You’re my freedom That ramps and lifts might not be there.
But others see you as a negative That dropped kerbs are often blocked.
You’re my freedom That places are often too narrow.
But others think you have destroyed my life. You’re still my freedom.
You’re my freedom The world just hasn’t caught up yet.
But for others you’re an embarrassment You’re my freedom.
You’re my freedom You’re my wheelchair.
But others want you gone, openly
telling me so.
less head injuries.
less pain and danger.
Independence On The Beach

Lorraine Gee Trevor Clarke
I was so afraid of my new life, I was responsible for

To Brighton. Holiday Inn.
all aspects of my present and future. I could
Pickled egg, chips and Pukka
smell the sea but felt nervous of travelling
Then The Pier at night with K
there alone.
I was leaving my home of twenty years and looking

for a new one. I was swamped by fear of the
unknown, everything appeared to be a shade
of grey and the weather looked forever foggy.
I then walked into the house which I instinctively

knew would become my home. I was like the 32 33
child I once was when writing my Christmas The Next Dimension
wish list. Everything felt positive and I was
happily looking forward. I felt a huge sense of Alan Stead
“I am me,” as I put my red floral wallpaper in
the B&Q trolley.
I stepped out into the rain but felt a warm glow. The pleasure of meeting new friends
I walked to my car and drove towards my To sing and dance until the evening ends
future. To live life to the full and accept all that it sends
The greatest treasures in life are friends.
I am no longer scared, I am not rich or famous.
I am me and at peace with myself. Actually I
am rich indeed.
Independence On The Beach

Lorraine Gee Trevor Clarke
I was so afraid of my new life, I was responsible for

To Brighton. Holiday Inn.
all aspects of my present and future. I could
Pickled egg, chips and Pukka
smell the sea but felt nervous of travelling
Then The Pier at night with K
there alone.
I was leaving my home of twenty years and looking

for a new one. I was swamped by fear of the
unknown, everything appeared to be a shade
of grey and the weather looked forever foggy.
I then walked into the house which I instinctively

knew would become my home. I was like the 32 33
child I once was when writing my Christmas The Next Dimension
wish list. Everything felt positive and I was
happily looking forward. I felt a huge sense of Alan Stead
“I am me,” as I put my red floral wallpaper in
the B&Q trolley.
I stepped out into the rain but felt a warm glow. The pleasure of meeting new friends
I walked to my car and drove towards my To sing and dance until the evening ends
future. To live life to the full and accept all that it sends
The greatest treasures in life are friends.
I am no longer scared, I am not rich or famous.
I am me and at peace with myself. Actually I
am rich indeed.
For those About to Lose Their Independence

Phil Barling
I collected the tears from a long sleepless night Their vision of today is more like a raging sunset than a Brave
and placed them here next to yours New Dawn
let them be the glue of hope that holds us all together a vision where Question Time will consist of four politicians
wringing their hands and saying nothing, when they’re not
So, tell them, go on, playing Pass the Parcel with the NHS
lock the gates for the last time on our parks where we’ll all be sat in one huge nuclear bunker
build supermarkets and luxury homes on our Green Belt surrounded by rainbow coloured wheelie bins
close down our libraries A vision where consumerism is just a plastic bag with the
fill our heads with fluff bottom fallen out
so we can stay home and talk to nobody
make bank transfers at 3am SO. GO ON, tell them
order our groceries from Ocada in our pyjamas 34 35 shut down our libraries
There’ll be no noise from the empty streets fill our heads with fluff
except the whimper of a man sleeping in his own shadow close the walk-in centres
under the viaduct build on our Green Belt
Tell them Shut down our swimming pools
GO ON shut the parks, who really needs them
shut down our walk-in centres give us 24 hour reality TV, feed us pap
fill our heads with fluff shut down, put down, cut down,
so we can stay home with our tablets kill our appetite for knowledge
self medicating , suppress our desire to hold hands, to connect with our eyes
so we can check our e-mails every five minutes and our skin
but if we go to the front door as often, to see if anyone is
knocking So,
they’ll lock us up, and confiscate our bus passes close down our minds, if you think you can, but we will never
and chain us to the Universal Lap Top lose the arts in our lives
where we can Google the word Suicide and the life in our art
and get full instructions plus a demonstration video and you’ll never stop a river flowing
or shut down our imagination… Will you ??
Me, I’d rather chase seagulls down a beach in the
freezing rain
For those About to Lose Their Independence

Phil Barling
I collected the tears from a long sleepless night Their vision of today is more like a raging sunset than a Brave
and placed them here next to yours New Dawn
let them be the glue of hope that holds us all together a vision where Question Time will consist of four politicians
wringing their hands and saying nothing, when they’re not
So, tell them, go on, playing Pass the Parcel with the NHS
lock the gates for the last time on our parks where we’ll all be sat in one huge nuclear bunker
build supermarkets and luxury homes on our Green Belt surrounded by rainbow coloured wheelie bins
close down our libraries A vision where consumerism is just a plastic bag with the
fill our heads with fluff bottom fallen out
so we can stay home and talk to nobody
make bank transfers at 3am SO. GO ON, tell them
order our groceries from Ocada in our pyjamas 34 35 shut down our libraries
There’ll be no noise from the empty streets fill our heads with fluff
except the whimper of a man sleeping in his own shadow close the walk-in centres
under the viaduct build on our Green Belt
Tell them Shut down our swimming pools
GO ON shut the parks, who really needs them
shut down our walk-in centres give us 24 hour reality TV, feed us pap
fill our heads with fluff shut down, put down, cut down,
so we can stay home with our tablets kill our appetite for knowledge
self medicating , suppress our desire to hold hands, to connect with our eyes
so we can check our e-mails every five minutes and our skin
but if we go to the front door as often, to see if anyone is
knocking So,
they’ll lock us up, and confiscate our bus passes close down our minds, if you think you can, but we will never
and chain us to the Universal Lap Top lose the arts in our lives
where we can Google the word Suicide and the life in our art
and get full instructions plus a demonstration video and you’ll never stop a river flowing
or shut down our imagination… Will you ??
Me, I’d rather chase seagulls down a beach in the
freezing rain
Independence When Birds Get Wings

Sharon Mercer Souhad Al Sharif
I woke up this morning Leaving that nest for the first time
On a warm summers day I was happy, excited but scared
Got very excited As a little birds with little wings that I had to
It was my first payday watch lengthening
Thinking it will take a long, long time
I didn’t know what
to spend it on I had to survive watching these
I had to pay rent White and black feathers developing
By the end of the week Some were getting brighter
It was all spent While others got darker at different times
Another week of working 36 37 Flying alone, breathing freedom

To feel the same way Tasting all sorts of feelings
Oh I can’t wait Singing the songs
for next pay day I dreamt of my soft neat nest
I looked at the trees

They where covered in green leaves
I fell over and scraped my knee
I went to the market

To look around
People shouting five for a pound
Oranges, apples even pears
Nice and colourful
I stopped and stared
I have independence
I live on my own
All of my family
Don’t want to know
Independence When Birds Get Wings

Sharon Mercer Souhad Al Sharif
I woke up this morning Leaving that nest for the first time
On a warm summers day I was happy, excited but scared
Got very excited As a little birds with little wings that I had to
It was my first payday watch lengthening
Thinking it will take a long, long time
I didn’t know what
to spend it on I had to survive watching these
I had to pay rent White and black feathers developing
By the end of the week Some were getting brighter
It was all spent While others got darker at different times
Another week of working 36 37 Flying alone, breathing freedom

To feel the same way Tasting all sorts of feelings
Oh I can’t wait Singing the songs
for next pay day I dreamt of my soft neat nest
I looked at the trees

They where covered in green leaves
I fell over and scraped my knee
I went to the market

To look around
People shouting five for a pound
Oranges, apples even pears
Nice and colourful
I stopped and stared
I have independence
I live on my own
All of my family
Don’t want to know
Independence (Partition) – Is It Independence?

Karen A Porter Yasmin Hussain
Translated by Shamshad Khan
They say we are independent, but it doesn’t feel like it

Emotions excelling beyond myself
As I awake for my morning prayer, I feel the profound loss of
Freedom, positivity direction of strength
my neighbour
Focused unbending aligned unique
“But we are independent!” they say
To weather the storm oppositions freak.
Focused determined unbounded from chains.
As I milk my cows, my friend doesn’t shout over and ask after
A trumpet resounding a victory blow independent
my family
and free no burden is owned.
“But we are independent!” they announce
Happy resourceful is the path for me
Once weighed down, now I am free
I scatter the seeds for the chickens, and think of my friends
scattering into the unknown
38 39 “But we are independent!” they proclaim
As I cut the towering corn, I remember last years harvest

Independence where the whole village helped one another
“But we are independent!” they rejoice
Jennifer Ryan
As I complete the evening prayer, I feel the deafening silence
of my own lonely thoughts
: Am I independent? I think
Footfall impressions
I make in the sand now I remember the panic of their moonlit escape, the chaos we
My marks – temporary but seen all saw and felt inside
: Are they independent now?
No other footfalls do I follow
I make my own. I own my path We were just ordinary people who accepted each other as we
accepted ourselves
An impression of my own being
Life, experiences – outwardly moulded;
I make my mark
Independence (Partition) – Is It Independence?

Karen A Porter Yasmin Hussain
Translated by Shamshad Khan
They say we are independent, but it doesn’t feel like it

Emotions excelling beyond myself
As I awake for my morning prayer, I feel the profound loss of
Freedom, positivity direction of strength
my neighbour
Focused unbending aligned unique
“But we are independent!” they say
To weather the storm oppositions freak.
Focused determined unbounded from chains.
As I milk my cows, my friend doesn’t shout over and ask after
A trumpet resounding a victory blow independent
my family
and free no burden is owned.
“But we are independent!” they announce
Happy resourceful is the path for me
Once weighed down, now I am free
I scatter the seeds for the chickens, and think of my friends
scattering into the unknown
38 39 “But we are independent!” they proclaim
As I cut the towering corn, I remember last years harvest

Independence where the whole village helped one another
“But we are independent!” they rejoice
Jennifer Ryan
As I complete the evening prayer, I feel the deafening silence
of my own lonely thoughts
: Am I independent? I think
Footfall impressions
I make in the sand now I remember the panic of their moonlit escape, the chaos we
My marks – temporary but seen all saw and felt inside
: Are they independent now?
No other footfalls do I follow
I make my own. I own my path We were just ordinary people who accepted each other as we
accepted ourselves
An impression of my own being
Life, experiences – outwardly moulded;
I make my mark
My own time Moon

Elaine Patricia Morris Cdr(R) Muhammad Bashir T.bt
A garden seat beside a rose

a cup of orange and cranberry tea,
Moon is lovely, it gives the light.
quiet tranquility, beyond
Brighten our Earth during the night.
a hard day at the office.
Always seems to be moving away.
A gentle breeze blows through my hair,
We don’t know it goes which way.
sun’s gentle warmth surrounds me,
my time to simply be, at home
When sun is up it is not in sight.
in my own presence.
But shower the golden light at night.
I let the thoughts and memories
Do you love this beautiful earth?
of struggles throughout the day
You circle around it since your birth.
drift away, and watch
the bees at work. 40 41
How is the good lady spinning the thread.
I wish, I could send her butter and bread.
With nature’s backing sounds,
I take up my singing bowl,
hand hammered in Tibet,
gentle at first, I begin to play.
Slow the movement, firm the touch,

in crescendo brass will sing,
my life has wings, I fly
into my own time.
Deeper sounds and slower breath,

I sit in meditative mood,
where life is good, and I become
at one, with who I am.
Tones so mellow, angelic notes,

that float my mind, relieve the stress,
take me there, where life is less,
but perfect.
My own time Moon

Elaine Patricia Morris Cdr(R) Muhammad Bashir T.bt
A garden seat beside a rose

a cup of orange and cranberry tea,
Moon is lovely, it gives the light.
quiet tranquility, beyond
Brighten our Earth during the night.
a hard day at the office.
Always seems to be moving away.
A gentle breeze blows through my hair,
We don’t know it goes which way.
sun’s gentle warmth surrounds me,
my time to simply be, at home
When sun is up it is not in sight.
in my own presence.
But shower the golden light at night.
I let the thoughts and memories
Do you love this beautiful earth?
of struggles throughout the day
You circle around it since your birth.
drift away, and watch
the bees at work. 40 41
How is the good lady spinning the thread.
I wish, I could send her butter and bread.
With nature’s backing sounds,
I take up my singing bowl,
hand hammered in Tibet,
gentle at first, I begin to play.
Slow the movement, firm the touch,

in crescendo brass will sing,
my life has wings, I fly
into my own time.
Deeper sounds and slower breath,

I sit in meditative mood,
where life is good, and I become
at one, with who I am.
Tones so mellow, angelic notes,

that float my mind, relieve the stress,
take me there, where life is less,
but perfect.
R ep o rt R e p ort
42 43
Earlier this year writer Chris Jam and singer song-

writer Claire Mooney were invited by the EAL team
to work with a group of young people at Kingsway
Park High School in Rochdale. They were asked to
explore language identity and emotions using poetry
and song. Many of the students were only months
and in some cases weeks into their first experience
of England. Here Chris reflects on the project.
R ep o rt R e p ort
42 43
Earlier this year writer Chris Jam and singer song-

writer Claire Mooney were invited by the EAL team
to work with a group of young people at Kingsway
Park High School in Rochdale. They were asked to
explore language identity and emotions using poetry
and song. Many of the students were only months
and in some cases weeks into their first experience
of England. Here Chris reflects on the project.
R ep o rt R e p ort
I was really fired up when Cartwheel offered me the opportunity to work

with this group of young people. Young tender Lions and Lionesses actually.
All of them natives of other lands, challenged by the very people they
KINDNESS
trust most to uproot, wave bye for an unknown period to dear friends,
Hello, Hola, Salam, Buna
learn new routines, hold memories they never even knew they had closer
Ajoy, Bala, Ola, Ciao
than close and trade certainties for uncertainties.
I can not imagine the turmoil of trying to simultaneously learn a new;
Welcome!
foreign language, learn and acclimatize to their new home and school
How’s Life?
environment, new customs, journeys and do’s and do not’s.
Let’s shake hands!
Kingsway Park definitely lives up to its alluring title.
There is just something – at first intangible – about this establishment
Kindness is a language
that oozes, care, creativity, dexterity and resilience from the top down.
everybody understands
So off downwards deep and outwards myself and the effervescent
Singer Songwriter and people polisher Claire Mooney – a bit like one of
those grafters who come and try to rinse your car windscreen, requested
or not. Whether you knew you need it or not Claire is gonna scrub and
polish you up!
We were tasked with creating a song, some poems and a mini work- 44 45 WELCOME!
in-progress-type performance for parents, carers, teachers and funders.
Using their loves, hopes, fears, interests and dreams as our palette: we Bem vindo Kingsway Park,
found ways to leap over boundaries of alien vernacular and very swiftly Salut Kingsway Park,
got to our common spaces and worked outwards. Vitaje Kingsway Park
These ways were facilitated by the warmth, openness and eagle-eyed Khosh amadid Kingsway Park
skillsets of Martha and her team, and included playing around with rhythm, Welcome… to… Kingsway… Park…
playing a few word games to tease deeper meaning out of language and Lovely school holds my heart
intent of the young people, coming up with a skeleton shape for a poem Fantastic school makes me smart
that they could all contribute towards in their own unique manners. Staff are caring, clever, kind
We then wrote and came up with first drafts by mid-week. And then Teach me things that blow my mind
dived even deeper into individual and collective rehearsals of our creations Welcome… to… Kingsway… Park…
with some editing and soul searching mixed into the broth for measure
and balance.
These two songs were written by students at Kingsway Park
Come Friday the young people were all tired and a touch nervy, yet also High School in Rochdale and performed for parents and staff at
charged with the shrill and frissons only adrenalin conjures. an Open Afternoon.
One thing I learnt through the week amongst many was that Kingsway
Park has a Boom Shaka Laka Kitchen so our guests trickled in, we all got
R ep o rt R e p ort
I was really fired up when Cartwheel offered me the opportunity to work

with this group of young people. Young tender Lions and Lionesses actually.
All of them natives of other lands, challenged by the very people they
KINDNESS
trust most to uproot, wave bye for an unknown period to dear friends,
Hello, Hola, Salam, Buna
learn new routines, hold memories they never even knew they had closer
Ajoy, Bala, Ola, Ciao
than close and trade certainties for uncertainties.
I can not imagine the turmoil of trying to simultaneously learn a new;
Welcome!
foreign language, learn and acclimatize to their new home and school
How’s Life?
environment, new customs, journeys and do’s and do not’s.
Let’s shake hands!
Kingsway Park definitely lives up to its alluring title.
There is just something – at first intangible – about this establishment
Kindness is a language
that oozes, care, creativity, dexterity and resilience from the top down.
everybody understands
So off downwards deep and outwards myself and the effervescent
Singer Songwriter and people polisher Claire Mooney – a bit like one of
those grafters who come and try to rinse your car windscreen, requested
or not. Whether you knew you need it or not Claire is gonna scrub and
polish you up!
We were tasked with creating a song, some poems and a mini work- 44 45 WELCOME!
in-progress-type performance for parents, carers, teachers and funders.
Using their loves, hopes, fears, interests and dreams as our palette: we Bem vindo Kingsway Park,
found ways to leap over boundaries of alien vernacular and very swiftly Salut Kingsway Park,
got to our common spaces and worked outwards. Vitaje Kingsway Park
These ways were facilitated by the warmth, openness and eagle-eyed Khosh amadid Kingsway Park
skillsets of Martha and her team, and included playing around with rhythm, Welcome… to… Kingsway… Park…
playing a few word games to tease deeper meaning out of language and Lovely school holds my heart
intent of the young people, coming up with a skeleton shape for a poem Fantastic school makes me smart
that they could all contribute towards in their own unique manners. Staff are caring, clever, kind
We then wrote and came up with first drafts by mid-week. And then Teach me things that blow my mind
dived even deeper into individual and collective rehearsals of our creations Welcome… to… Kingsway… Park…
with some editing and soul searching mixed into the broth for measure
and balance.
These two songs were written by students at Kingsway Park
Come Friday the young people were all tired and a touch nervy, yet also High School in Rochdale and performed for parents and staff at
charged with the shrill and frissons only adrenalin conjures. an Open Afternoon.
One thing I learnt through the week amongst many was that Kingsway
Park has a Boom Shaka Laka Kitchen so our guests trickled in, we all got
R ep o rt R e p ort
stuck in, chatted, grew into our roles and then after about twenty minutes
46 47
the curtain went up.
The young Lions stepped up and really touched those who came to
experience. With this issue of Scribble the current chapter of Tell Us Another One
They showed that they are thriving in their new environment, feel as draws to a thrilling and breathtaking close. What we initially described as
secure as one can in such circumstances and have rekindled their hunger a ‘three year adventure in creative writing with diverse communities’ has
to learn and grow in just the right spot. now lasted for nearly ten years. Once again we have unfinished business
Everyone completed their individual ‘I am’ style poems each of which and we will be looking for funds to script more great episodes. In the
gave some colour, laughter and insight into the vibrant worlds inside meantime some of the writing groups we have been supporting in the
each of them. And as well as this, we as a group splashed up a little-big boroughs of Rochdale, Oldham and Bury have vowed to carry on regard-
welcome song we penned, that we hope might become Kingsway Park’s less, and we will do our best to help them plot their independent course.
official theme song. The current climate of austerity is not helpful. The threat of library
Watch this space! closures across the country has been with us ever since the decision to
bail out the banks at public expense and in view of the hammering which
local authorities in Greater Manchester have taken, and continue to take,
Chris Jam is a Poet, educator and Radio & Club DJ.
Chris also co-directs Wordsmith and promotes the Open
Mic event Ode.
R ep o rt R e p ort
stuck in, chatted, grew into our roles and then after about twenty minutes
46 47
the curtain went up.
The young Lions stepped up and really touched those who came to
experience. With this issue of Scribble the current chapter of Tell Us Another One
They showed that they are thriving in their new environment, feel as draws to a thrilling and breathtaking close. What we initially described as
secure as one can in such circumstances and have rekindled their hunger a ‘three year adventure in creative writing with diverse communities’ has
to learn and grow in just the right spot. now lasted for nearly ten years. Once again we have unfinished business
Everyone completed their individual ‘I am’ style poems each of which and we will be looking for funds to script more great episodes. In the
gave some colour, laughter and insight into the vibrant worlds inside meantime some of the writing groups we have been supporting in the
each of them. And as well as this, we as a group splashed up a little-big boroughs of Rochdale, Oldham and Bury have vowed to carry on regard-
welcome song we penned, that we hope might become Kingsway Park’s less, and we will do our best to help them plot their independent course.
official theme song. The current climate of austerity is not helpful. The threat of library
Watch this space! closures across the country has been with us ever since the decision to
bail out the banks at public expense and in view of the hammering which
local authorities in Greater Manchester have taken, and continue to take,
Chris Jam is a Poet, educator and Radio & Club DJ.
Chris also co-directs Wordsmith and promotes the Open
Mic event Ode.
R ep o rt Write on!
For nearly ten years Tell Us Another One has Those that do are always looking for new
supported regular monthly writing groups, people to join them. If in doubt please
initially in Rochdale and then also in Oldham contact the Cartwheel office.
and Bury. We are about to go through one of
perhaps it is a miracle that the damage has been limited. But the likelihood our periodic funding intervals and not all the
of sweeping closures in Bury now seems inevitable. Library services have groups will continue meeting.
been vital partners for Cartwheel throughout our 33 year history and
particularly for Tell Us Another One, providing free meeting spaces,
generous support from intensely community focused and experienced First Thursday Third Friday LGBT Writers
librarians, and also an important free conduit for delivery of this magazine 2pm – 4pm 11am – 1pm The group has been meeting
throughout the region. This is a horror story and I wish I could foresee — — at Middleton Arena but may
an alternative ending. Seedfield Writers Dumers Lane Writers become more of a virtual
For now though I want to celebrate the success of the current ‘season’, Moorside Community Centre Dumers Lane Library group for the time being.
to borrow a televisual term. We have enjoyed the guidance of three Project and Library 245 Dumers Lane If you would like more
Co-ordinators in this epic period. Danny Fahey joined us in 2014, becoming Parkinson Street Radcliffe M26 2GN information please contact
the third Scribble editor, and delivering some brilliant projects. When he Bury BL9 6NY lgbt@cartwheelarts.org.uk
left in 2015 we were joined by Paul Stanley and Danielle Porter, who have Fourth Tuesday
shared the job, with Paul becoming the fourth editor of the magazine. It Second Monday 2pm – 4pm You can read the group’s
is fair to say that the change in style of the magazine from Danny to Paul 1pm – 3pm — brilliant booklet, Tonight I
could hardly have been more dramatic, but was generally well received. — Fitton Hill Story Group Will Become, here:
What has not changed is the quality and variety of the content and the 48 Darnhill Writers Fitton Hill Library cartwheelarts.org.uk/event/
production values. We continue to provide a stylish platform for members Darnhill Library Fircroft Road tonight-i-will-become
of writing groups and for professional writers expressing themselves in Argyle Parade Oldham OL8 2QD
an eclectic mixture of styles - and in a range of languages. Heywood OL10 3RY Deeplish Story Group
The Fitton Hill group will continue The group is taking a break
Elsewhere in this issue you will read about some of the imaginative to meet until the summer after
and inspiring projects which Paul and Danielle have been running in the Third Thursday which it might be best to check with while we look for further
last year, many with a particular emphasis on the creative potential of 2pm – 4pm Cartwheel. funding.
the digital devices we take for granted. We persist in our passion for the —
printed page, but as we look to the next instalment of Tell Us Another Langley Writers Fourth Wednesday
One (spoiler alert) I think it will come as no surprise to discover digital Demesne Community Centre 9am – 11am
devices and digitisation delivering dramatic developments. Asby Close —
Middleton Spotland Story Group
M24 4JF Spotland Community Centre
92 – 96 Spotland Road
Langley Writers are an independent
Rick Walker is Director of Cartwheel Arts and has led Rochdale OL12 6PJ
the company since 2004, as well as organising major writing group, who deliver a range of
Cartwheel projects including festivals, environmental writing and drama projects on social
and health issues in addition to their Spotland Story Group will also
projects and youth arts programmes. His background continue to meet until the summer.
is in design and print and his own work continues to be regular monthly sessions.
They will take a break in June for
exhibited in major galleries, including the show marking Ramadan.
the 300th anniversary of the Bluecoat Centre in
Liverpool this year.
S cr i b b l e
R ep o rt Write on!
For nearly ten years Tell Us Another One has Those that do are always looking for new
supported regular monthly writing groups, people to join them. If in doubt please
initially in Rochdale and then also in Oldham contact the Cartwheel office.
and Bury. We are about to go through one of
perhaps it is a miracle that the damage has been limited. But the likelihood our periodic funding intervals and not all the
of sweeping closures in Bury now seems inevitable. Library services have groups will continue meeting.
been vital partners for Cartwheel throughout our 33 year history and
particularly for Tell Us Another One, providing free meeting spaces,
generous support from intensely community focused and experienced First Thursday Third Friday LGBT Writers
librarians, and also an important free conduit for delivery of this magazine 2pm – 4pm 11am – 1pm The group has been meeting
throughout the region. This is a horror story and I wish I could foresee — — at Middleton Arena but may
an alternative ending. Seedfield Writers Dumers Lane Writers become more of a virtual
For now though I want to celebrate the success of the current ‘season’, Moorside Community Centre Dumers Lane Library group for the time being.
to borrow a televisual term. We have enjoyed the guidance of three Project and Library 245 Dumers Lane If you would like more
Co-ordinators in this epic period. Danny Fahey joined us in 2014, becoming Parkinson Street Radcliffe M26 2GN information please contact
the third Scribble editor, and delivering some brilliant projects. When he Bury BL9 6NY lgbt@cartwheelarts.org.uk
left in 2015 we were joined by Paul Stanley and Danielle Porter, who have Fourth Tuesday
shared the job, with Paul becoming the fourth editor of the magazine. It Second Monday 2pm – 4pm You can read the group’s
is fair to say that the change in style of the magazine from Danny to Paul 1pm – 3pm — brilliant booklet, Tonight I
could hardly have been more dramatic, but was generally well received. — Fitton Hill Story Group Will Become, here:
What has not changed is the quality and variety of the content and the 48 Darnhill Writers Fitton Hill Library cartwheelarts.org.uk/event/
production values. We continue to provide a stylish platform for members Darnhill Library Fircroft Road tonight-i-will-become
of writing groups and for professional writers expressing themselves in Argyle Parade Oldham OL8 2QD
an eclectic mixture of styles - and in a range of languages. Heywood OL10 3RY Deeplish Story Group
The Fitton Hill group will continue The group is taking a break
Elsewhere in this issue you will read about some of the imaginative to meet until the summer after
and inspiring projects which Paul and Danielle have been running in the Third Thursday which it might be best to check with while we look for further
last year, many with a particular emphasis on the creative potential of 2pm – 4pm Cartwheel. funding.
the digital devices we take for granted. We persist in our passion for the —
printed page, but as we look to the next instalment of Tell Us Another Langley Writers Fourth Wednesday
One (spoiler alert) I think it will come as no surprise to discover digital Demesne Community Centre 9am – 11am
devices and digitisation delivering dramatic developments. Asby Close —
Middleton Spotland Story Group
M24 4JF Spotland Community Centre
92 – 96 Spotland Road
Langley Writers are an independent
Rick Walker is Director of Cartwheel Arts and has led Rochdale OL12 6PJ
the company since 2004, as well as organising major writing group, who deliver a range of
Cartwheel projects including festivals, environmental writing and drama projects on social
and health issues in addition to their Spotland Story Group will also
projects and youth arts programmes. His background continue to meet until the summer.
is in design and print and his own work continues to be regular monthly sessions.
They will take a break in June for
exhibited in major galleries, including the show marking Ramadan.
the 300th anniversary of the Bluecoat Centre in
Liverpool this year.
S cr i b b l e

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EE

4 Report: Power In Your Pocket

6 Report: Case Studies

18 Jack Stocker: Human Contact

20 Meet the Writers: Spotland, Dumers Lane & Seedfield

42 Report: Bilingual Authors

46 Rick Walker: Another Cliffhanger Ending!

4 Report: Power In Your Pocket

6 Report: Case Studies

18 Jack Stocker: Human Contact

20 Meet the Writers: Spotland, Dumers Lane & Seedfield

42 Report: Bilingual Authors

46 Rick Walker: Another Cliffhanger Ending!

Power In Your Pocket was a creative writing and

Photograph by Rebecca Lupton.

The participating parents hailed from Darnhill, Deeplish, Kirkholt and

Read the book — cartwheelarts.org.uk/event/power-in-your-pocket5 4 5

Participating writers and artists involved included:

Power In Your Pocket was a creative writing and

Photograph by Rebecca Lupton.

The participating parents hailed from Darnhill, Deeplish, Kirkholt and

Read the book — cartwheelarts.org.uk/event/power-in-your-pocket5 4 5

Participating writers and artists involved included:

Phil Barling is a Cartwheel Arts Writer, through

Phil Barling is a Cartwheel Arts Writer, through

Michelle Green has facilitated the LGBT Writers’

Michelle Green has facilitated the LGBT Writers’

Shamshad khan is a poet and resilience coach who

Shamshad khan is a poet and resilience coach who

Anjum Malik is a lecturer, script writer and poet,

Anjum Malik is a lecturer, script writer and poet,

“Close by.” she says, fighting to keep her voice steady.

HUMAN his throat.

S he comes here every day.

“Close by.” she says, fighting to keep her voice steady.

HUMAN his throat.

S he comes here every day.

Opposite: Yasmin. Above: Karen.

Opposite: Yasmin. Above: Karen.

Above: Rakhshinda. Opposite: Jill.

Above: Rakhshinda. Opposite: Jill.

Above: Dumers Lane Writers. Opposite: Naseem.

Above: Dumers Lane Writers. Opposite: Naseem.

Above: Attiya (top), Mussarat (left) and Shagufta. Opposite: Elaine.

Above: Attiya (top), Mussarat (left) and Shagufta. Opposite: Elaine.

My mother’s independence has been stolen.

My mother’s independence has been stolen.

You’re my freedom You’re my freedom

You’re my freedom You’re my freedom

Independence On The Beach

I was so afraid of my new life, I was responsible for

I was leaving my home of twenty years and looking

I then walked into the house which I instinctively

Independence On The Beach

I was so afraid of my new life, I was responsible for

I was leaving my home of twenty years and looking

I then walked into the house which I instinctively

For those About to Lose Their Independence

For those About to Lose Their Independence

Independence When Birds Get Wings

Another week of working 36 37 Flying alone, breathing freedom

I looked at the trees

I went to the market