Schools workshops

Keith Ellis from Moving Sounds has been running storytelling workshops in primary schools in the Lewes area with 7-10 year olds. The story workshop is all about 'How to Make the Best World Imaginable!'. It's an interactive workshop in which a story with an environmental theme is told: of joy and despair, of problems and solutions. The children help create the story, by offering their ideas of the 'Bad News' on the TV, how the main character can make a difference and how they would like the world to be.

Keith says, "Hearing the young peoples' ideas, views and opinions has been an honour. Most have a good understanding of some environmental issues and have certainly been learning about it in school or at home. There is always a magical moment when everyone is searching their imagination for an image of how they would really like the world to be."

The intention of these workshops is to encourage a view that individuals CAN make a difference, that we can do it with our friends, family and community and that it can be rewarding and enjoyable. If we can cultivate this positive, pro-active attitiude we're well on the way to a happier, healthier town!

Keith has visited:

  • Western Road School
  • St Pancras School
  • Lewes New School
  • Pells School
  • South Malling School
  • Wallands School
  • Iford and Kingston School
  • Rodmell School

And hopes to visit Southover and Lewes Old Grammar School in the Autumn term.

Here are some quotes from children and teachers at Wallands School:

"I think the story was really good and told us to keep aware. Some people don't really care about the planet we live on. It's sort of like a gift and we are responsible for looking after it."
"I thought it was really good way to say to people what is happening to the world and all the ways we can try to help... it has encouraged me to save energy and recycle and I am sure it has had the same effect on other people in the class."
"The story about Jack was really funny and I thought that it encouraged us to do more things to save the world."
"I really enjoyed the story because it helped me to understand how I can help by doing little things in my own town."
"I also learnt that I can use my own skills to change the world."
"What it feels like to be in the open air and so alive. The story made me feel like I should do something about global warming."
"Jack's story gave me lots of good ideas to save the planet."
"The story had lots of information and ways to save the world."
"I really liked he way you used the music to help us imagine.Don't give up when you realise you can't save the whole world. Use your talents to help you."
"I felt happy about the story because I think that it will really help people to learn how important it is to save energy and make the world more ecofriendly."
"I think it's very emotional that our grandchildren won't have a world if we carry on like this. I would like to finish Jack's story and make the world a better place... I hope other people will see the message you gave us."
Sue Eldridge's Class, Wallands School

"The kids were engaged and understood the messages given today. They are very interested in the environment generally."
The children learned "that people do things on a grassroots level that make a difference." Kate Milnerg, Wallands school

"It was interesting and informative and it was well told through story. How the childrens' attention was held throughout!"
"They became more aware of global warming and how they could make a difference in the world."
Sheila Courcha, Wallands school

"Wonderful!" Sue Eldridge, Wallands School

The workshops were very generously funded by a local donor.

Get involved: contact one of the Group contacts on the Groups page