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Writers wanted by second-generation Irish author

A community centre in the heart of Brighton is looking for writers and anyone who has always wanted to write By staff reporter - 15/06/07

Starting on July 16th, free one day workshops will run once a month in the summer and autumn for people who want to put their experiences on paper. The result could end up in print.

The workshops will be run by second generation Irish writer Bridget Whelan. She is hoping that Irish people and people with Irish roots will want to explore what immigration has meant to them. 'Brighton is Blow-in City. Most of us have come from somewhere else and that journey or exile is one that often remains hidden.'

Bridget, who has just been granted a bursary by the Arts Council to complete her fist novel set in the London Irish community of the 1960s, is chair and founder of County Brighton, a new community group for the Irish in south east England. In the last census nearly 4,000 people in Brighton & Hove described themselves as Irish a larger percentage of the population than in the south east generally - but the true size of the community is thought to be nearer 10,000.

Brighton Unemployed Centre Families Project is run by the unemployed for the unemployed and provides a range of practical and educational services for anyone in poor housing, claimants (including pensioners), lone parents, unwaged people and those on low incomes. A paperback collection of Centre users experiences will be published later in the year, funded by lottery charity Awards for All and Brighton and Hove Council.

This book is going to be an unique slice of Brighton life, says Writer in Residence Bridget Whelan, whose mother is from Kerry and father came from Co. Offaly. Saying someone is low waged or unemployed says very little about them – there is a wealth of experience, wisdom and knowledge among Centre users. This paperback will be a way of capturing it.

A special feature of this writing project is the one-to-one tutorials on offer. These are available for people who don't have time to attend the workshop or who don't like coming to classes. We want to reach out to as many people as possible, explained Bridget. Everyone has a great story to tell. This is a chance to see it in print. There is no need to book a workshop or tutorial unless you also want to arrange a free crèche place, otherwise Bridget is happy for you just to turn up on the day.

A prize-winning writer with a Masters degree from Goldsmiths, Bridget Whelan had a long career at the Daily Mirror, where she was a researcher for investigative journalist Paul Foot and heath expert Dr Miriam Stoppard before turning to creative writing. She teaches adult education classes in London and Brighton.

Workshop dates

Monday 16th July 10.30 to 3.30
Monday 13th August 10.30 to 3.30
Thursday 20th September 6.30 to 9.0
Tuesday 18th September 10.30 to 3.30

Wednesday 17th October 10.30 to 3.30

Tutorial dates

Wednesday 18th July from 2 to 4
Wednesday 15th August from 2 to 4

Contact

Bridget 01273 530 539 softrain@ntlworld.com or Ellie, Participation worker, (Tuesdays, Wednesday and Friday afternoons) 01273 671213

Also see www.bucfp.org.uk.