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Testimonials
Since your project at the Council House, the writers involved have developed such emotive and empathetic writing skills that they have been absolutely blown away by the growth that's continued since the project ended. They are keen to get involved with any future projects in the pipeline, including completing any research or prep work that may support them for it, as well as continuing projects on past the end date.
Rachel Fuery
Lift Percy Shurmer Academy
What I really love is how everyone understands each other. My choir friends know what I’m going through, and they always support me, which makes me feel really happy and safe. It’s like being part of a big team where everyone cares about each other.
I’ve also learned so much, not just about music but about all the incredible places we get to visit. Every trip feels like an adventure, and I’ll always remember the fun times we’ve had together.
Choir isn’t just something I do, it’s something that makes me feel like I belong.
Olivia
Military Kids Choir Member
It was amazing to see how invested they were in sharing their thoughts and feelings, the power of poetry will never stop amazing me. I have seen a real drive and need from the students to tell their personal story, so this is definitely something that I will need to create safe opportunities for in our classes in the future. I’ve been very careful so far in my work with them, not wanting to elicit things that could potentially cause harm to the person who shares or the person who hears the story, but yesterday’s event has proved to be somewhat of a turning point.
Orsolya Dunn
ESOL / Core Skills Lecturer (East Ayrshire)
The Armed Forces is a close community and it’s sometimes easy to forget that our children are part of that. My daughter taking part in competitions like this is a nice reminder for both me and her that being part of the Armed Forces is actually something that we have in common. To see her putting effort into the competition and talking to me about her feelings whilst doing her poem really brought us closer together
I am super proud that she won but even prouder that she wanted to take part and tell others about her feelings.
Mark
Parent of Month of the Military Child Competition Winner
I felt very delighted to hear everyone around the world share their work and opinions on war. It was very surprising to see how many people from so many different countries participate in this amazing opportunity to share their thoughts. The judges gave amazing feedback and we will cherish this memory for the rest of our lives.
Donrit S
International Competition Winner, Song Category
It is a wonderful opportunity to express feelings and let them grow in a safe space.
Bettina Friedrich
Giordano Bruno Gesamtschule Helmstedt, Germany
"I truly cannot explain the impact Never Such Innocence has had on my life. I wanted to be noticed, to be heard and to have a say about how things could be done differently. Performing my speech, surrounded by other children who had the same thoughts and feelings as me, was too amazing to ever be forgotten."
Oonagh K-E
Young Ambassador
Many found the experience a great opportunity to build confidence as writers and to develop their own creative voices. The session gave pupils valuable guidance on how to use imagery, structure and emotion to bring their ideas to life. It was a truly enriching experience that encouraged our young writers to think deeply about global issues and to recognise how their voices can make a difference.
Eleanor Knight
Langley Grammar School
"This competition was focused on a subject students are interested in...
...and allowed them to express this in a variety of media. It really allowed students to get involved in the topic without being made to write an essay! I also really liked having past winners to show as examples and a really good resource pack available."
Sarah Penny
Alton Convent School
The workshop with Alex was inspirational to many of the students who took part. He gave students a real insight into how a painter thinks and works with paint. The interaction with students about their ideas was really beneficial with many appreciating the depth of conversation and how Alex kept their ideas and feelings the core of the discussion.
Ross Allan
Blackpool Sixth Form
"We loved our day with you all [at RAF Valley] and it was very special for us. We returned feeling high in spirits and proud to have contributed."
Mr Benbow,
Mobility and Orientation Teacher, Shenanigans Creative Writing Group
“We also realised that it was not just British sailors who lost their lives. We made the sky to show that this was truly a World War.”
"Swans class chose to use the Battle of Jutland as a theme for our competition entry because we had been learning about Jack Cornwell. Lots of us have teenage brothers and his story made us realise just how young some of the sailors were in World War One. We also realised that it was not just British sailors who lost their lives. We made the sky to show that this was truly a World War. We used our hands to represent the sea. Swans had lots of ideas for a title, but we chose Sea of Souls because we liked the alliteration and we thought it was quite a sad title. We used collage because it made the subject stick out and we worked on it as a team, just like the sailors in the ships at the battle.”
Swans Class,
Maundene Primary School
"The change in Oonagh has been quite radical. She knows she won’t be spoken down to or condescended to, but will be listened to, valued and appreciated, and will go away thinking about what she’s learnt. The whole experience has been a complete left turn for her and, with the right guidance, I don’t think she’ll ever turn back."
Neil E
Parent of Competition Winner
“I found the workshop fun and engaging. I learnt how poetry can convey emotions, and how people in different parts of the world have completely unique experiences. It made me realise how lucky we are. 10/10, would do again!”
Jayden H
Workshop Participant
“Some students who hardly ever speak in English lessons were highly motivated. They understood a great deal, expressed their thoughts in English and knew they had been understood. We teachers were very impressed by what they produced.”
Felicitas O-G
Wilhelm-Lorenz-Realschule
“Thank you for your part in helping our kids to stop, think, and remember... Both of my children have thought deeply about this"
Robyn Lovewell,
Wellington, New Zealand, mother of competition entrants
“A worthwhile and valuable project that promoted empathy and understanding. The creative activities were accessible to everyone in our mixed ability group and helped students explore heritage, culture and connections with people in other countries. Students were moved by the workshops and keen to continue writing poetry, which is not an easy thing to achieve!”
Jen S
Cleveden School
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