An Ode to Joy

Posted by theministry on 17th March 2026

Ten ways joy is conjured in our writing centre each week.

  • Wild imaginations

Each week our young writers bring their wild, untamed imaginations to 159 Hoxton Street and find a place to create fantastical worlds, exciting characters, brand new poetry and more. We believe in the power of our young people’s ideas and never amend their work. 

 

  • A robot who loves books 

BookBot has happily resided in the corner of our writing centre for 3 years now. He is home to a whole range of books for our young people to choose and read. He’s always a friendly face and a reminder that we take fun seriously!

 

  • Space and freedom to be yourself

Everyone is welcome at the Ministry of Stories. A place to ‘come as you are’ and leave the world at our door. 

 

  • Great games

A little game of Whiz Bang anyone? We love to play at the Ministry of Stories, and each week we crack on with a different game that gets the body moving and the mind pumping with ideas.

 

A group of children and adults, dressed up in their fancy clothes, stand in front of a huge colourful poster, pulling joyful and fun poses for the camera.

 

  • Unlimited brain fueling breadsticks 

We know that writing is hungry work! Every session our young writers have access to breadsticks and fruit. In fact, breadsticks have become such an important part of our Writing Labs we have had poems and stories dedicated to them! 

 

  • Untamed ideas

From poems that boast they are as ‘clean as a hippo’ to writing advice ‘Eat lots of chocolate (so you can vomit a story)’ untamed and fantastic ideas abound as soon as the lights are turned on to shutting up at the end of the day. 

 

  • A shop for monsters

Do you know about Hoxton Street Monster Supplies? It’s been serving its scaring supplies from the front of our building since 1818! It’s a great place to stock-up on Thickest Human Snot or Tinned Fear. 

 

  • Strong voices

Our young voices are loud and joyful! From sharings and workshops to collaborations and working outs, our rooms are full of the buzzy buzziness. 

 

  • New friends 

  Whether you’re a young writer or writing mentor, fearless shopkeeper or the secret    Chief, new friends are found here! 

 

  • A wonderful community of volunteers 

We’re very lucky to have an excellent community of dedicated and supportive volunteers who help raise up our writers and ensure our monsters never go hungry. Their passion and enthusiasm inspire us every week.  

NEXT PAGE: The Ministry of Stories Booklist