Introducing Laura
We’re very happy to welcome Laura Perkins, our new Deputy Director, to the Ministry of Stories team.
Laura joins us this autumn as we enter our 14th year and morph from a sprightly teenager to a young adult organisation. She will be responsible for our fundraising, marketing and monstrous going ons at Hoxton Street Monster Supplies.
Tell us a little bit about yourself
I am a Londoner, I was born here and grew up here. I live south of the river now but love riding my bike all over London and to Ministry of Stories. I actually have Scottish roots and I think my family has a tartan and we can all do Scottish dancing if invited to a Ceilidh. A few of my favourite things are running around Brockwell Park (also my favourite park!), curry (the spicier the better!) and watching films.
What did you do before joining the Ministry of Stories?
Before Ministry of Stories I helped lead the London Community Foundation. It is a charity that advocates for the value of local community projects and organisations making a difference in London. I spent my time talking to companies, local councils, individuals and local government, to encourage them to think about giving back to local charities in London where they lived and worked.
I also got the chance to meet lots of community organisations like Ministry of Stories and was always totally inspired by their knowledge, commitment and impact.
What are you most looking forward to as part of your new role?
I am really looking forward to how varied my new role is, I don’t think any one day is going to be the same; from reviewing our finances, to writing a new policy or bid to ensuring we have enough edible bogies in our shop. I am also looking forward to working in our space on Hoxton Street – it is joyful to be able to visit the Monster shop and go through our secret door every day and then to have so many young people appear to take part in our community writing labs and schools workshops.
Why is it so important that children and young people have a chance to explore creative writing?
I think perhaps sometimes people underestimate the power of giving young people space to be creative. Maybe it sounds like a nice thing to do, but not essential like learning maths, when actually it can be transformational if a young person feels safe and supported to explore their ideas, imaginations and be heard.
More often than not they won’t choose a career in writing but that’s not the point. The point is that they develop great skills and have all these experiences that they will remember and that they will draw on as they get older.
How has writing and creativity impacted your life?
I think I have always been a book worm. I was quite shy when I was younger, so disappearing into a good book was a great comfort and escape, then I think reading led to me enjoying writing. I have never tried to write fiction but I love writing proposals and bids about the great work we do at Ministry of Stories. And although I don’t perform myself, I love going to creative things in London – whether its a dance, or an exhibition or a comedy.
What books are on your bedside table at the moment?
I have just joined a new book club on my street, our next book to read is Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak, so I better get reading that one so I finish it in time. I have also just finished All Fours by Miranda July which kind of blew me away in how honest she is about her experiences of being a 40-something woman.
Would you rather take BookBot or Monster Supplies invisible cat, Wells, home for the day?
This is a tough one. I have a very fluffy white cat called Ferris at home and I think he would get jealous if I took Wells home, so I am going to take BookBot so my daughters can spend all day feeding it coins and getting books.
Our young writers love breadsticks and ‘easy peelers’. What’s your favourite snack to fuel imagination?
My favourite snack is probably salt and vinegar Squares – they are so salty they almost burn your tongue. And then I love easy peelers too, to try and top up my vitamin C.
