The Writing Home Initiative by Poetry Ireland is a specially developed programme of creative engagement supporting the wellbeing of residents of homeless shelters as they undergo covid restrictions during the winter months. Its aim is to use writing and spoken word to provide a valuable, authentic and apolitical insight into life in these facilities, that readers from all walks of life can engage with and learn from. The workshops will be facilitated by poet Colm Keegan.

This project has been initiated by Kilkenny County Council and supported by 4 local Authorities across Ireland: South Dublin County Council, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, Fingal County Council and Waterford County Council in conjunction with Poetry Ireland. Poetry Ireland will act as the lead organisation on this Project ensuring the smooth running of the programme and liaising with all bodies involved. They will ensure that Colm Keegan, visits (using online means) with selected participants over a period of 6 weeks These groups will explore multiple means of written self-expression and reflection, like rap and spoken word as well as structure, character and storytelling. Each participant will create a small body of work, based on their own life experiences.

Please note that the details of events listed above are provided by the relevant Local Authorities.