Empowering communities through creativity

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, young people across the world experienced significant educational disruptions. 

Research conducted by McKinsey found in the United States, the impact of the pandemic on the learning of students across all ages was significant. It left students on average five months behind in mathematics and four months behind in reading by the end of the school year. The pandemic amplified existing opportunity and achievement gaps, affecting disadvantaged students hardest.

In Australia, under-resourced communities in Western Sydney were just some of those affected by the disruption. 

To address these challenges, Story Factory - a not-for-profit creative writing organisation - implemented a number of tailored creative writing programs, specifically aimed at providing young people with essential literacy skills and the confidence needed to re-engage with their learning.

The initiative - focused on people aged 7 to 17 from under-resourced communities – delivered two engaging, eight-week creative writing programs to 35 young people from under-resourced communities in Western Sydney.

Each week, workshop facilitators and volunteer writing tutors provided personalised support, helping these young individuals grow in confidence, creativity, and literacy.

Creating impactful changes

Receiving an ANZ Community Foundation Grant in 2023 played a pivotal role in bringing the initiative to life. The grant affirmed the significance of Story Factory’s mission and instilled confidence in their ability to plan and deliver the program.

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Image credit: Photographer: Aphrodite Delaguiado

Catherine Keenan, Executive Director at Story Factory says the grant enabled them to design and deliver creative writing programs effectively. It also provided the resources and personnel necessary for the tailored support participants received.

“The ANZ Community Foundation grant has had a profound impact on our ability to support marginalised young people in Western Sydney. By helping these individuals develop crucial literacy skills and self-confidence, we have set them on a path towards greater educational engagement and success,” Catherine says.

Over the past 12 months, the creative writing programs have made a substantial impact by overcoming educational gaps and rebuild the confidence in participants. The transformative results include 80 per cent of participants reporting increased self-confidence and a greater willingness to share their ideas with peers.

This is a vital step in developing literacy and communication skills.

Catherine says, “By providing a safe, supportive space for creative self-expression, the program has enabled students to find their voices, which will help them engage more actively at school and beyond.”

Future plans

At the end of the program, each student received a bound anthology of their stories, celebrating their achievements and fostering a continued interest in learning and writing.

This tangible outcome marked their efforts and served as a lasting memento of their progress.

ANZ Community Foundation Chair, Christine Linden, says the work of the Foundation goes to the heart of ANZ’s purpose to shape a world where people and communities thrive.

“Grants provided by the ANZ Community Foundation enhance the work of the recipient organisations. I am always inspired by the creativity and commitment of our grant recipients, who continue to make a significant impact in their communities, Story Factory is a wonderful example of this,” she said.

Looking ahead, Story Factory has aspiring plans for the next few years.

Catherine says one significant goal for the organisation is to open a new community hub in the Mount Druitt area.

“The opening of a new creative writing hub will further support local young people and foster a community centred around learning, creativity, and storytelling.”

“We look forward to continuing this important work and expanding our reach to benefit even more young people in the future.”

Maria Pantelakakis is Co-Secretariat of Community Foundation at ANZ