News

Final chapter of young writers residency

Elizabeth Gaskell’s House has marked the conclusion of its first young writers’ residency with the publication of a book, I’ve Never Read Elizabeth Gaskell, featuring contributions of poetry, short stories and a play from three young writers.  The residency has been ground-breaking for Manchester’s only literary house, with an exhibition, resources for schools, a film, and more included, demonstrating the appetite for both the writing and story of Elizabeth Gaskell (1810-1865) amongst young people.

The project’s approach has reflected the journey of the three writers – Georgia Affonso, Princess Arinola Adegbite, and Guruleen Kahlo – from having never read an Elizabeth Gaskell novel, to becoming avid fans.  In getting to know Elizabeth’s own story, they were enthused to find someone who was actively engaged in the social issues of her time and how ‘very relatable for creatives now‘ that would be.  Their fresh perspective has encouraged new visitors to join them in discovering more about this trailblazing Victorian radical.

An exhibition of the writers’ experiences held at the House is currently on an extended tour of Greater Manchester libraries as a bite-size version, generating notable increases for loans of Elizabeth’s novels on its travels.  Using features like ‘biogs’, author ‘profiles’ and social ‘batteries’, it has a very contemporary design, which has been appreciated by visitors who love the way that it brought the 19th century into the 21st century.  The exhibition has been complimented by a social media campaign to encourage further interaction with young adults and a legacy film that captures the whole story.

The writers have led school workshops in Manchester and contributed to a Key Stage 2 schools resource, which is now available to use in the classroom or as part of a visit to the House.  This shares some of the discoveries that intrigued Princess, Georgia and Guruleen and introduces ways of using these to prompt creative writing and thinking – from Victorian cross-writing to ‘found’ poetry. 

Director of Elizabeth Gaskell’s House, Sally Jastrzebski-Lloyd,says,

“Experiencing Elizabeth’s world through the eyes and work of Princess, Georgia and Guruleen has been incredibly rewarding.  Their reactions have validated our belief that Elizabeth Gaskell is a writer who has the power to connect with young people.  Our challenge has been that, unlike her contemporaries such as Charles Dickens and Emily Brontë, Elizabeth’s work is not on the school curriculum and even here in Manchester is not widely taught.  But through this project, we have laid the groundwork for building engagements with a younger audience.  As we have seen thanks to Princess, Georgia and Guruleen there is much to excite and energise the creativity of young minds, and this project has helped us to make connections that wouldn’t otherwise have been possible.”

The young writers residency project at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House has been made possible thanks to the support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund and has been delivered in partnership with The Writing Squad and Manchester City of Literature.

Visitors can pick up a copy of I’ve Never Read Elizabeth Gaskell for a suggested donation of £3 whilst stocks last.  Details of the schools resources developed can be found here and you can watch the legacy film above.

Recently awarded a Hidden Gem accolade by VisitEngland, Elizabeth Gaskell’s House is open every Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 11:00am to 4:30pm (last entry 3pm).  Standard entry is £9 for adults and free for children under 16, when accompanied by an adult.