Share your favourite piece of writing

You’ll need

Pens (non-permanent)

Before you begin

Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Additional help to carry out your risk assessment, including examples.
Make sure all young people and adults involved in the activity know how to take part safely.
Make sure you’ll have enough adult helpers. You may need some parents and carers to help if you’re short on helpers.

Choose your piece of writing

Everyone should choose a piece of writing that’s important to them. They can write their own, if they want to.
Some people may choose a story, poem, or song lyric for this activity. These may have a purpose or theme. Some may help us feel and express emotions (such as sadness, or excitement), others tell us about history, teach us morals, or remind us of a special memory or person.
Some people may choose a prayer, letter or a reading for this activity. These can also have a purpose or a theme, for example, wishing that something will happen, hoping for a better future, saying thank you for the good things in your life, apologising for doing wrong, or committing to doing better.

Share your writing near and far

Everyone should share the piece of writing they’ve chosen, and explain why they like it and what it means to them.
One or two people could share each time you meet (perhaps as part of your introduction or just before you say goodbye), or you could split into small groups so everyone can share at once. You could also choose a special time to share – how about around a campfire?
Ask people to choose their favourite word or line.
Now, find a way to creatively display the word or line, so they can take it with them wherever they go or keep it somewhere special.
Some suggestions are:
- making a piece of artwork or collage
- paint it or write it on a flat stone
- creating a bookmark with it on
- making a card with it on
- creating a chalk mural together on paper or on the floor, if allowed by the venue owner and on a safe surface, such as a clean, dry outdoor space

Reflection

This activity was a chance for you to share your favourite piece of writing.

Why did you choose this piece of writing? What makes it special? Did your piece of writing have a purpose or a theme – if so, what was it? Did you enjoy talking to other people about it? Do you feel more confident in yourself now? Which part did you choose to share and why?

This activity may have helped you think about your well-being. How does your piece of writing make you feel? Why do you feel a connection to it?

Are there any times when might your piece of writing be especially important to you?

Safety

All activities must be safely managed. You must complete a thorough risk assessment and take appropriate steps to reduce risk. Use the safety checklist to help you plan and risk assess your activity. Always get approval for the activity, and have suitable supervision and an InTouch process.

Remember that not everyone will be as comfortable talking about personal things like beliefs.