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Impact case study: Geoff

“I started realising it wasn’t me that didn’t fit, it was that my education never fitted me. Looking back the education system failed me. This, me doing this, well it feels like sticking two fingers up to the teachers that told me I couldn’t write, and a school system that broke my hope.”

Geoff

West End Writes Creative Drop-In

Drop-In meet weekly at St James’ Church in Benwell. What started as a casual drop-in has become a vital hub for a community of dedicated writers in the West End of Newcastle. One core member of the group is Geoff.

“At school I wasn’t encouraged to think outside of the box. My education wasn’t fit for purpose. It’s only now that I am beginning to see why I struggled. I wasn’t encouraged because I found it hard to work within the parameters the teachers demanded, or, you know, the curriculum. They would just criticise me for what I got wrong, you know, like my spellings or my grammar. No one took a moment to say: Do you know what, your spellings and grammar might not be perfect, but I love what you did right here. That could have made all the difference for me.

I saw a flyer for some sessions at a library and gave myself a push to go along. I found I really liked writing, it was like something clicked, and I wanted to reengage with the idea of writing. Tahima who ran the course demystified the process of writing. She didn’t have an “I am the teacher, you’re the pupil, do as I say” approach. It was the opposite. That’s when I started realising it wasn’t me that didn’t fit, it was that my education never fitted me. Looking back the education system failed me. This, me doing this, well it feels like sticking two fingers up to the teachers that told me I couldn’t write, and a school system that broke my hope. You can paint over the lines here. That’s what I love about it.

It’s a fundamental part of my week. It stimulates my mind. The session gives you a discipline. When you don’t have something to motivate you it can be a struggle. My drive is just to write. I have struggled with my mental health and have had lots of therapy and I find this gives me that same therapeutic benefit. I think it’s because its relaxing. It’s a very positive atmosphere, for me that is really important. I find social things very difficult. Reading out loud just then made us really anxious. I feel myself tensing. But then people give you feedback around your writing and that is really valuable. No one is critical, people are just supportive. I think the fact everyone is doing it the spotlight isn’t on you. It’s not judgemental, it helps us to unravel. It’s a group project, everyone is doing it together, including Danielle and that’s more important than any personal agenda.

It’s important for me that it’s local. I have an emotional attachment to the area and the church. I can walk here, get the fresh air and daylight getting here. And when I get here, it’s hard to explain but I am using parts of my brain that I wouldn’t otherwise use. The West End hasn’t had a good reputation. There’s talent here, there’s talent that’s come out of here, but it’s overshadowed by the perception of the area, the poverty and crime. Which don’t get me wrong, is there, but there is also a vibrancy to it. You know, if I won the lottery, I might buy a bigger house, or a detached house or whatever, but I wouldn’t leave the area. Running the sessions within the community, it gives us a platform for creativity. People representing themselves and their stories, well, it celebrates the area.”

Geoff

“I think it’s really beneficial for the people that come in – they get a sense of connectivity. It gives them the space to talk about themselves but also the space to find out about other people’s lives. It brings people out of themselves, out of their shells; it literally brings them out of their houses. It gives them something to get up for, some of them won’t have that in their week otherwise. Some of them are elderly, some of them are lonely, some of them have anxiety and other things, some of them are struggling, really struggling. It’s really important it’s regular – it gives them some routine. It helps mentally and physically.”

Chris, Church Warden

Born in the West End of Newcastle in 1972 I was raised on a diet of comic books, pop music, sport, love and dreams. My first notable venture into writing was a captain’s report of my primary school football teams then record 15-1 defeat, which was more memorable than the on field performance. Discouraged from imaginative writing at secondary school, I rejected conformity and wrote for amusement which became neglected through years of pleasing ‘the person’ under the guise of unenjoyable work. Often attempting to subvert formulated text with usually unappreciated humour, I enjoyed writing to appease myself, if no other. Bereavement saw me move to cathartic writing, leaving work belatedly offered the opportunity to express emotion through writing in a non-judgemental environment which can exhume internal conflict. I write, but I’m not always alright.