All Lit Up

All LIT up was initiated by Academi in 2002 with funding from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation and Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council. It began in February 2002 and since then has conducted many workshops and literature events.

The aim of all LIT up was to enable young people, particularly those who have been excluded from mainstream education and young people in care, to have an opportunity to develop skills in storytelling and writing. Through working with supportive tutors, such as Francesca Kay and Phil Carradice, the participants were able to express themselves creatively and build confidence and self–esteem.

Through building relationships with schools, young people’s residential units and with charities such as NSPCC & Barnardos, we were able to access groups of young people who have experienced problems with learning skills and confidence. It was the aim of the project from the outset to work in a sustained way which each group, thereby building trust and allowing the best possible creative work to develop.

A primary aim of the project was to nurture talent wherever we find it. A number of talented young writers emerged from the workshops and we continued to work with these young people in order to ensure they have every chance to fulfil their potential.