A NEW collaboration has been set-up to help young people with their communication skills. As part of the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s (DofE) Award, participants aged 14–16 took part in a series of creative, reflective writing workshops. 

Councillor Tony Ball, Essex County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education Excellence, Lifelong Learning and Employability, explained. He said: “The Essex Year of Opportunity and events such as this, offers young people the chance to do something different and realise their potential. Communication is vital: by developing greater reading and writing skills young people will benefit from improved learning opportunities and career prospects.”

The sessions were led by top author, Gina Blaxill, who is Essex Libraries’ Author in Residence. The workshops formed part of the council’s wider Essex Year of Opportunity, which champions support, skills and progression pathways for young people. Gina Blaxill, known for her young adult novels, invited the young people to share their DofE journeys, such as long-distance treks, challenges and teamwork, into poetry, stories and personal reflections. 

Gina explains: “I ran a creative writing session with the DofE students, with the aim of getting what they were thinking and feeling about their experiences down on paper. I had a great time hearing what they’d learned about teamwork, resilience and themselves, which they expressed via poetry and short stories. Despite blisters and aching feet, the young people shared a sense of achievement and excitement. It was a pleasure to harness that positivity into creative writing.”

The workshops drew enthusiastic responses from students. Among the dozens of pieces produced, some poetry pieces impressed for their honesty and emotional insight. 

Examples of poetry written in the DofE sessions:

‘The sound of fresh running water, I see mother nature’s daughter. The feeling of soft grass, I want this to always last.’

‘Breaking into a sweat from the weight on my back, realising we’ve gone too far and have to turn back, Osprey backpacks everywhere, no music in ear shot.’

The collaboration forms part of Gina Blaxill’s role at Essex Libraries. The Author in Residence programme launched in 2024 to boost library engagement among teens. Since October, she has delivered events across Essex, such as murder-mystery writing to encourage young people to explore storytelling.

The creative-writing partnership has offered DofE participants a new way to reflect on their journeys. It has supported their emotional wellbeing and creativity, while showcasing the opportunities for young people in Essex.

Councillor Mark Durham, Cabinet Member for the Arts, Heritage and Culture, added: “Literacy is a vital skill for our young people. By nurturing strong reading and writing skills we learn how to express ourselves effectively. These DoE participants have worked hard and learnt resilience, communication and teamworking skills.”   

The Essex Year of Opportunity is led by Essex County Council and is encouraging people to discover a world of possibilities. The campaign is helping people of all ages and backgrounds take their next step towards a brighter future. The yearlong initiative will help Essex residents recognise which skills are needed to thrive. 

To discover more about the Essex Year of Opportunity, visit: www.essex.gov.uk/news/2025/essex-year-opportunity.