the story starts here
april 20th we hosted the first meeting of the team looking to set up a writing project for young people inspired by the 826 movement.
a book swap was held in the gift shop before moving into the main space for introductions, discussion of the project values and people’s motivations for participation.
it ended with a brainstorm inspired by the whitechapel / tower hamlets area, the space and the heritage of 826.
wishing the project (needs a name!) the best of luck in their search for a home in london. if you think you can help with that check here to find out more about the sort of space they’re looking for.
photos of the evening courtesy of andrew hinton who will be putting together a documentary of the process. you can see the full photostream here.
inspired by 826 valencia: tuesday 20th april 6.30-8.30pm
a group of writers, educators, designers and others will be setting up a writing project and centre for young people in tower hamlets inspired by an idea called 826 valencia.
826 valencia was first set up in san francisco by the novelist dave eggers in the mission district of the city.
eggers’ teacher friends told him that the one thing lacking with their english students, particularly those with literacy issues and those for whom english was a second language, was one-on-one time. eggers’ guess was that there would be enough people among his writer friends who would be willing to volunteer some of their time to help out. the idea gathered support. however, the city authorities told him that the space he wanted to use at 826 Valencia Street in the city was zoned for retail: he couldn’t just open it as a ’school’.
so, inspired by the place’s ship-like interior he opened it as ‘a pirate supply store’: where you could buy everything a self-respecting pirate might need - from replacement peg-legs to bird-seed for your parrot. the ‘shop’ serves as a front for the writing centre, where young people go to work with writers, improve their writing and language skills, and put together anthologies which then go on to be published. behind each is an imaginative space where local young people can learn through writing and get help with their homework with the help of a team of volunteer writers. young people can also attend writing workshops and get involved in publishing projects. all of these services are free.
watch dave eggers speak about the project here.
826 valencia has since set up shop in seven cities around the us - the one in la caters to time travelers, and the one in new york to superheroes. recently roddy doyle opened up fighting words in dublin inspired by the 826 model.
‘826 london’ are a group of writers, educators, designers and interested people, aiming to set up a pilot centre in London, with the intention of it becoming permanent (with the blessing of the umbrella organisation of 826 National in the US).
tuesday’s meeting is a chance to meet up with people who’ve volunteered to help in some way, and get started on some of the founding principles.
please rsvp if you’d like to come by leaving a comment on the project blog or to info@thewhitechapelgiftshop.com.
