The Story Works is a registered charity offering a wide variety of creative workshops. Our core offering is our story‑writing workshops for primary schools, where children bring their ideas to life through words and illustrations. We also run inspiring sessions for older children and teens, from comic creation to green‑screen filmmaking, giving young people space to use their imagination freely and express themselves through creative storytelling.
Adult workshops are available too, usually delivered as part of special events and community programmes. Keep an eye on our Events page to find out when and where our next sessions are happening.
Duration: 2.5 hours
Ages: 7 – 11
Location: Bournemouth University
Suitable Group Numbers: up to 30 children
Staff to Child Ratio: 1:5
Participants are encouraged to use their imagination to write a story together, in response to prompts given by the session leader. As they come up with ideas, the story takes shape on a large screen in front of them and the class can watch as an illustrator creates live artwork to accompany it.
In the second half of the session, the children work in small groups, aided by a writing mentor, to write and complete the second half of the story. They are also encouraged to add pictures to their story which, when completed, they share with the class. Each child goes away with a printed booklet of their story and illustrations – and their picture, as author, on the back cover.
Green Screen Workshop
Duration: 2 hours
Age: 7 – 11
Location: Bournemouth University
Suitable Group Numbers: School Class of 16
Staff to Child Ratio: 1:4
Using the green screen studio at Bournemouth University, the class will write their own script and make a short film using green screen technology. Guided by The Story Works volunteers the class will use their imagination to create and film their unique vision.
Duration: 2 hours
Age: 14-18
Location: Bournemouth University
Suitable Group Numbers: 30 max.*
Staff to Child Ratio: 1:5
* Only for students studying or interested in art
With the help of AUB illustrators, students will design a four-panel comic with an emphasis on narrative. During the first half of the session, volunteers will discuss examples of comics and the components that make one successful. Students will complete a starter activity in groups and brainstorm dialogue pieces that could be used in a comic. After lunch, students will pull from the dialogue pieces to create their own short comic.
All children’s and teen workshops are booked directly through their schools. If you are a parent or guardian and would like your child to take part, please speak to their teacher — they can contact us at info@thestoryworks.org to arrange a workshop for the whole class.
We also run sessions for home‑school groups, young carer organisations, and groups for adults with special needs. If you lead or coordinate one of these groups, you’re very welcome to get in touch with us at info@thestoryworks.org to organise a workshop.
At The Story Works, creativity doesn’t stop with storytelling. Many of our workshops are supported by talented student volunteers from Bournemouth University and Arts University Bournemouth, who help children bring their ideas to life through illustration and design. These volunteers create bespoke artwork for our story booklets and develop engaging visual activities that enrich the workshop experience.
Below is a selection of front covers and illustrations created by our volunteer artists — a glimpse into the imaginative worlds children build during our sessions.
If you’re an illustrator and would like to contribute your skills to our workshops, we’d love to hear from you at info@thestoryworks.org.
Building Confidence With Words
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