Alumni news
Philanthropy at Sussex: Cultivating literacy
By: Emma Wigmore
Last updated: Wednesday, 15 January 2025
Creative writing workshops at Dorothy Stringer School. *Images reproduced by kind permission of Dorothy Stringer School
The Sussex Writes Project is a dynamic initiative dedicated to promoting literacy and human flourishing among young people. It connects Sussex students with local schools, where they mentor and inspire pupils through creative writing workshops. Working primarily with vulnerable pupils, the aim of the workshops is to spread a passion for creative and critical thinking and through this support the development of prosocial behaviours.
The Sussex Fund helps pay for Sussex students to deliver these inspiring workshops to around 500 young people each year.
By fostering a love for storytelling and enhancing literacy skills, Sussex Writes empowers school children to express themselves confidently and think critically. The scheme likewise enhances the leadership and communication skills of the Sussex students who take part.
Additionally, the Project plays an important role in terms of the legacy of an English National Curriculum that has arguably marginalised creative writing and independent scholarship, to the detriment of preparing young people for degree-level study.
Dr Emma Newport, Senior Lecturer in English Literature, heads up the initiative. She says:
“My students and I work with local schools to promote creativity, imagination, literacy and scholarly excellence, running research support events for the Higher Project Qualification (HPQ) and creative writing clubs in schools and on campus.
“We have enjoyed great success with this year's clubs, poetry and drumming workshops, and the 19th-century printing press, and pupils continue to report how excited they are to participate and learn, as well as how they connect with the Sussex and its students.”
Through the power of writing, the Sussex Writes Project is making a significant impact on our local community, nurturing the next generation of thinkers and creators.
If you would like to support initiatives like Sussex Writes, please make a donation to the Sussex Fund.