Volunteering and sharing stories can connect us

To celebrate volunteer’s week we are highlighting one of our volunteers, Claire Miller who will be volunteering at the Generations Working Together intergenerational school project at St Clare’s Primary School. She will use her experience as a children’s author to share stories with children and to help them improve literacy and numeracy. Claire believes that volunteering is essential in our society and that through reading, writing, and sharing stories we can develop confidence in children. Kate Samuels, our Communications and Policy Officer interviewed Claire online during the lockdown.

Kate –‘Please tell us a bit about yourself. What’s your background and what do you do?’

Claire –‘I have been a full-time mum for many years and before that, I worked in training positions and administration jobs. Whilst my children were growing up I started teaching adults how to use computers, at The Park Centre in Kirkintilloch, and working with small groups of children at the local primary school, Craighead Primary School in times called Skill Sessions. I took the children through all the stages of creating a story and then took all the information home and made a book for each child to have. Some children came back several times to my Skills Sessions. I had always written and in 2001 I took an evening class in creative writing. I have been writing seriously ever since.

In 2016 I published my first book, ‘Pure Human City’, for young adults.I decided after this that I wanted to give children outside of the school environment the same enjoyment in being creative that I had seen the children at Craighead Primary School having. ‘I Can Create Stories’, aimed at 8-12-year-olds, is the book, published in 2018, that is based on the Skills Sessions with the children at Craighead Primary School. In this book, the children can read, draw, create, and listen to a story. When I went to the library with I Can Create Stories they were interested but didn’t want children to be encouraged to draw in library books. As a result of this I published, in 2019, a book that can be used in libraries aimed at 8-12-year-olds, ‘I Can Create Stories (Story Edition)’ which has all the stories from ‘I Can Create Stories’ in it and the links to my audiobook and free downloadable activity sheets on my website. I have also been running writing workshops in local schools and have run my own writing class. As well as teaching creative writing and computer skills I now want to work with people who want to put course material together or know how to run a course or have a book idea but don’t know where to start to help them achieve their goals, desires, and ambitions and to give them the confidence to believe they can do it.’

Kate –‘How did you find out about Generations Working Together? Why were you attracted to intergenerational practice?’

Claire –‘I met Bella Kerr through the Campsie Writers’ Group, of which I am a member. Intergenerational practice is an opportunity for me to work with children to increase their confidence in their abilities in literacy and numeracy. I know from my experience of working in schools and running my own writing class I can make a difference. I am currently writing a story with a friend, who is dyslexic and encouraging him to have fun and be creative. He is really enjoying the story we are creating together and beginning to see writing as a fun activity, not one he previously would have avoided doing. This shows the impact of writing and sharing of stories’

Kate -‘Obviously many plans have been put on hold, but what have you been doing since lockdown?’

Claire –‘Since lockdown I have been writing my own stories, attending a lot of online networking, going to workshops through Business Gateway, and other sources. I am learning about how to make videos, podcasts, about mental health issues, and how to organise. I have also recognised the opportunity I have to help other people. I can help build confidence to create course materials, to learn how to run a course and how to put a book together. I have also been enjoying walking and taking photos.’

Kate -‘Do you think the lockdown has had an impact on reading, can books help?’

Claire -‘I think the amount of reading being done will differ from person to person. Some people will read because they have more time and others will not necessarily have the concentration. I believe books are a great way to lose yourself in another world and forget for a time what is going on.’

Kate – ‘Finally, is there a way for generations to stay connected in lockdown that you can recommend?’

Claire -‘Going online is an excellent way for generations to stay connected. Phoning is another way and is very personal. Some people could write letters and cards. Getting real letters really makes the recipient feel valued.’

Claire is the author of Pure Human City, I Can Create Stories and I Can Create Stories (Story Edition). She also has activity sheets on her Books page and Serena’s page on her website. She is also looking to help anyone who is unsure of how to create course content or how to run a course or has a book idea which they want to develop but don’t know how to. Claire would be delighted to guide through the process of creating. Please email her directly.