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Storytelling Workshop
Story #1
“The Fellowship: Youth Leadership in Action” (Inspired by The Lord of the Rings)
In a region struggling with division between communities, a small leadership programme brought together nine young people from different backgrounds. The group was tasked with a symbolic mission: carry a handcrafted object across challenging terrain to a central location, representing unity and shared purpose.
Despite major setbacks — including interpersonal conflict, fatigue, and external threats — the group completed the journey. Along the way, they inspired local communities to collaborate and value diversity. Some members later launched their own grassroots initiatives.
“I learned that courage isn’t about being fearless — it’s about standing for something bigger than yourself.” — Participant (age 112)
Partners included local iwi, a regional youth trust, and the Council’s leadership programme. The journey was documented in a map, photo series, and a ripple-effect chart of related community actions.
Story #2
“A Spoonful of Change” (Inspired by Mary Poppins)
In response to a rise in family stress and disconnection in a suburban neighbourhood, an intergenerational wellbeing programme paired older community volunteers with young families. One of the volunteers, Mary, brought music, storytelling, and simple rituals into the homes she visited — from kite-making to “tidying games” and daily affirmations.
Families reported improved moods, healthier routines, and stronger parent-child bonds. The programme ran for 6 months, with strong uptake and requests to expand it city-wide.
“She didn’t just help my kids — she reminded me how to play again.” — Parent, Southbridge
Supported by the Community Resilience Fund and a local creative collective, the project used visual trackers (stars, colours, weather symbols) to help families reflect on emotional wellbeing.
Story #3
“Let It Go: Creative Expression for Emotional Resilience” (Inspired by Frozen)
After a natural disaster in a remote region, many young people struggled with anxiety and feeling misunderstood. A pop-up arts and performance programme encouraged them to explore their emotions through music and storytelling. One standout participant, Elsa, had hidden her creative talent for years due to fear of being “too much.”
With support, she composed and performed an original piece at the closing showcase — which sparked widespread local recognition of the role of youth voice and emotional expression in recovery.
“I thought my voice was dangerous. Now I know it’s powerful.” — Elsa, 16
Run in partnership with the District Arts Trust and funded by Creative Recovery Aotearoa, the programme’s evaluation included emotional heat maps and a before/after self-confidence scale.