My year leading Creative Writing club: "Together, we learn not to be scared of trying new things"

Please note: this post is 87 months old and The Cares Family is no longer operational. This post is shared for information only

I first heard about South London Cares when my best friend started disappearing on me to go and hang out with older neighbours in pubs and community halls across south London. Much perturbed by this, I got myself signed up immediately to see what all the fuss was about.

Sadly I lost my Grandparents quite young, before I was old enough to truly value their wonderful, eclectic and inspiring stories. But now thanks to South London Cares, I have hundreds of older neighbours across the city to share stories with, friends who I can meet for some (questionable) dancing in Stockwell, or have a cold pint with in Camberwell. We not only get to learn new skills, but together, we also learn not to be scared of trying new things.

There’s something really tragic in the fact that after childhood, we don’t allow ourselves to do or enjoy the things we think we’re “bad” at. I think school often teaches us to stick to the things we do well in, but South London Cares doesn’t care if you’re not great at something – it’s all about having a go, having a laugh and having a place in your community.

I’d only been volunteering with South London Cares for a month or so when I thought I’d drop the team an email to see if my skills might be of any use. I’m a published poet and writer, and I wondered if I might be able to convince some of my older and younger neighbours, lots of whom had decided many moons ago that writing wasn’t for them, that actually, writing is for everyone.

As if the planets aligned, South London Cares were on the hunt for someone who might teach a creative writing class, and now for the past 12 months, I’ve held court at the Clapham club, encouraging hundreds of my neighbours to try their hand at sonnets and aubades, dialogue and autobiography, odes and stories.

Nothing is more joyous than the moment when once nervous neighbours are eagerly sharing their work at the end of the class, and I think I practically exploded with pride when one of the younger neighbours told me she’d used what she’d learnt in class to help her write her maid of honour speech for her best friend’s wedding

We’ve written some absolutely stonking stuff together, from belly-tickling verses to tear-teasing tales of childhood. We’ve laughed, we’ve cried and we’ve learnt a lot about each other – celebrating the many different ways we all look at the world and how the words we put on paper reflect the lives we’ve lived.

And in true South London Cares spirit, nothing is ever wrong in my creative writing class, it’s just about having a go. I truly believe everyone is writer, and your way of using words is unique and special to you. I hope some of you will come and join us soon and share with us your wonderful way of seeing things – I’m already looking forward to reading your words!