Chapter 82 - Story Telling Dads Project

Who We Help, Why We Help & the Difference It Makes

What We Do

OUTREACH

As teachers, we recognise the importance of engaging children in purposeful learning at school. We want to push boundaries, deviate from the scheme-based plans and create opportunities for children which meet their interests and capture their imaginations.

At Chapter 82, we help to build children’s confidence in reading and writing. We unlock and engage imaginations and discover potential. We work with local Suffolk schools to help inspire magic.
Through our storytelling and creative writing workshops, we help children to connect with stories and inspire them to create. Our approach is creative, meaningful and designed to engage ALL children in the classroom.
We believe we can support schools in raising attainment in a way that nurtures the development of the whole child, enables educators to develop their skills and provides support for parents too.

What we can offer

• STORYTELLING/ CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOPS
• AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS
• FAMILY EVENINGS
• STAFF CPD

COMMUNITY PROJECTS

We are passionate about partnering with other organisations to improve children’s access to high quality storytelling and facilitate opportunities for them to be inspired to create.

Volunteer

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Community Trail

This project took place in 2023 and has now finished. Chapter 82 offer a range of other opportunities please see their website for more information 

Chapter 82 successfully applied to the Innovation in 2023 to develop their Storytelling Dads projects to local residents in Ipswich, 

Chapter 82 are as a non-profit Community Interest Company created by teachers who want to develop opportunities and provision that could have the potential to go beyond their own classrooms. Frustrated with the lack of specialist literacy training available to NQTs/ECTs, their mission is to not only work with children in schools but also to develop resources and ideas which educators and parents can use themselves. They  are a small team of dedicated professionals who have a true belief in improving access for all children to high quality storytelling.

 Whilst researching the idea of Storytelling Dads and speaking to local men in recovery, some disclosed to Chapter 82 that they often found it difficult or even insensitive to talk about their children in mutual aid meetings because other members have lost contact with their children altogether Storytelling creates connections between people in a way few other activities can; it is beneficial for mental health, giving people a sense of purpose and for learning.

Storytelling Dads was a 12-week program based in Ipswich, designed for men recovering from addiction. It addressed three of the five ways to well-being by encouraging participants to learn new skills through storytelling for their children. This program fostered connections among individuals in recovery, united by the common goal of achieving long-term sobriety and cultivating lasting relationships that were essential for support. Participants acquired new skills that served as powerful tools in enhancing their relationships with their children. Through storytelling, they contributed to a group of like-minded individuals and gave back to their families who had endured challenges due to their addiction. An additional aim of this initiative was to create further opportunities for participants after the program concluded, specifically by helping them develop public speaking skills in a group setting to aid their future careers.

The program provided participants with free access to a qualified teacher, storyteller, father of five, and recovering alcoholic, who had extensive experience in all four areas. Support for individuals in recovery often came from various sources, which could sometimes feel threatening, particularly from entities like social services. This program offered a free, safe environment for participants to learn a new skill, receive group support for the challenges of recovery, and converse with others who had shared similar experiences and achieved success in their journeys. Storytelling was a powerful method for enhancing learning, mental health, and interpersonal connections, and it was something participants could share with others beyond the program.

Storytelling Dads was specifically open to fathers in recovery. This focus aimed to foster a common bond among the group, providing something positive to support them as they rebuilt their lives. Many fathers in recovery had strained relationships with their children and were seeking ways to repair them. The shared experience of active addiction, combined with the role of being a parent, served as a strong foundation to unite the group.

This project supported 8 men in recovery from drug  and/or alcohol use who each attended some or all of the sessions. Of these men, 3 reported using the stories learned in the sessions with their children and one reported using them with other young family members. Those who used the stories reported them having a positive impact on the children they told them to and all of the men said they had used them in thinking about their own situations. Participants also reported that the sessions helped build a sense of connection for them and supported their recovery. ‘The fact that you (facilitator) are in recovery and understand addiction helps me’ ‘I find the Storytelling Dads group has become an important part of my week’ ‘I know when I come here I can share anything that’s on my mind’ ‘All your stories really make me thinK"