An Interview with Ashanté
As we kick off the Summer term, our volunteer Marketing Officer Sam sits down with Ashanté, one of our current Writing Facilitator Trainees.
Ashanté joined our Trainee programme in September and has been shadowing our Writing Facilitators, learning how to deliver exciting and engaging workshops within schools and community settings.
Through the programme each of the trainees has had the opportunity to learn new facilitation skills, run starter activities and plan and lead a session of their own. Now, as Summer Term begins, they’ll continue to sharpen their skills becoming independent Writing Facilitators.
Last week, Sam had a chat with Ashanté, who ran his first writing session before the Easter break.
Hi, Ashanté!
Hello!
What made you want to begin your journey as a trainee?
I’ve been a youth facilitator for the majority of my career and have used writing as a form of an expression since I was a kid but I’d never meshed the two. The traineeship felt like the perfect way to learn how to blend my interests.
Tell us more about the traineeship. What have you learned so far? What has been your favourite part?
I’ve learnt so much! The range of children we interact with, the wonderful mentors and the diverse pool of methods to use. My favourite part has been seeing a group’s growth from the beginning of the year to now. It’s something I’ve wanted to experience as most of my other jobs are one-off workshops. It’s so rewarding working with the same children week in-week out and understanding how their brains work, slowly watching their confidence grow.
You recently ran your own session for the first time. How was it? How did the placement prepare you for it?
It was a little scary but I think the kids liked it! I felt prepared, I was able to send emails to the team, any resources I needed, checking in. It all flowed so well!
Ashanté putting his skills to excellent use in a Ministry of Stories Lab session
It’s so rewarding working with the same children week in-week out, slowly watching their confidence grow.
Have you got any tips for helping young people write?
Challenge them to continue a story they already like, whether it’s a TV show, book or movie. Let their imagination take them to the next chapter…
And do you have any advice for people who want to get experience working as a creative writing facilitator?
Other than apply to this traineeship, not really. I feel like if you’ve made the decision to get into this line of work, it’ll come to you. All I can say is be as open as possible to everything. You never know what could be useful.
How has your time on the placement influenced your writing?
I’ve written more. I know you shouldn’t measure your worth as a writer in productivity but I used to have this idea of writing as something that needed to be good or worthy of my time, whereas, since being on the placement, I’ve been inspired to just let my writing be what it is.
One last question! What was your favourite story as a child? What’s your favourite story now? (Okay, technically two questions)
Ooooh this is such a fun question! I really liked ‘We’re going on a Bear Hunt’ by Michael Rosen. Probably my first introduction to his poetry. Now is tougher to think of but I’ve been re-reading the Black Panther comic releases by Ta-nehisi Coates. I like the way he handles conflicts and writes about colonialism in the world of an Intergalactic Empire.
Thanks, Ashanté!
