Charity To Publish Islanders' Stories

Monday, 25 September 2023 08:00

Jersey Recovery College wants to publish at least 30 stories and poems written by islanders in a book of anthologies.

The project aims to create a positive outlook on the themes of 'hope', 'opportunity' and 'empowerment'.

People aged 18 and over can submit three pieces of work to the charity for free.

It is hoped that the proceeds from selling the book of anthologies can help to fund some of the charity's free courses, such as yoga and creative writing.

So far, the Jersey Recovery College has been sent a few submissions, which seem to be from established local writers.

Deputy CEO Dreena Colins says she would love to see more works from people who have never been published.

"I'd love to see some new writers, younger people, and people who thought they could never be in a book. That's what I'd like to see."

Dreena also tells Channel 103 that writing can be a release for people and is a way of getting thought out and onto paper.

Creative activity has been found to relieve stress and anxiety and banish bad and intrusive thoughts.

Many people report entering a 'flow state' due to being focused on one creative outlet, which sees people entering a new state of mind.

"It can help you to vocalise experiences that you're going through.

One of the big things with it is the big sense of achievement once you've completed it.

No one else will have ever produced anything identical to what you've done, there's not many places in life where that happens, this is an opportunity to produce something completely unique."