The beginning…

My first ever Skywriters blog post! How exciting!

I’ll start by giving you a bit on context. I’ve been banging on about writing full time to my friends and family for years. It’s always been said with a wistful intake of breath and the words “Maybe next year”. I made strides this year having my writing accepted on local and national platforms and contributing to anthologies and (gasp) actually getting paid for my work. Still, fitting writing a novel and other projects around a full time job and relationship as well as trying to have a social life can prove difficult.

The Coronavirus pandemic had ravaged us in a way we never imagined. It has forced us all into isolation and claimed businesses that have been successfully standing for years. I’m currently employed within the Museums sector which is suffering from the impact of Covid-19, meaning redundancies of a grand scale have been made in attractions across the country. At first I was anxious and worried about what this might mean for a Community Engagement Manager like me, but then I started thinking about the kind of future that I actually want.

Writing is my dream. It is a tool I use to express myself, plan my life and achieve my goals. I’m finishing my first novel at the moment and involved in various writing projects. I imagined what it would be like to start a project of my own. With the impact of Covid-19 on our communities I wanted to turn my passion into an intiative that provides support to others.

And so Skywriters was formed, established in 2020, Skywriters was born out of the heartache of a pandemic in an attempt to lift spirits and heads, including my own. The aim is to provide creative education opportunities to support individuals, communities and businesses to thrive, to look skywards, put themselves up there and connect with others.

This week launching the website and the GoFundMe is the first step in a long term plan. The GoFundMe is for a book resource which will be aimed at children and adults, a tool that can be read in isolation or partnered with creative education sessions. I have split the development of Skywriters into three phases (See The Plan). The plan is ambitious but I have faith in my idea and the drive and commitment to achieve my dream.

This week will be hectic and launching a new initiative in the face of a pandemic may seem a little outlandish, but I believe Skywriters is exactly what is needed.

Thanks for your support and I hope you can continue to #WriteTheSky with me

Nat