Engagement
I design and deliver creative writing and spoken word workshops, residencies and projects for schools, universities, arts organisations and community groups. I hold a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching Creative Writing from the University of Cambridge, awarded with Distinction in 2025, and bring over twenty years of practice as both a working writer-performer and a facilitator to everything I deliver.
What I Do
Workshop Facilitation & Creative Learning
I create and deliver workshops in creative writing, spoken word, drama, and storytelling for all ages and backgrounds. My approach is inclusive, responsive, and designed to meet participants where they are – whether they're primary school children discovering poetry for the first time, young people in secure settings finding their voice, or adults exploring creativity in community settings.
Project Development & Management
From initial concept to final evaluation, I develop and manage creative projects that deliver real impact. This includes needs analysis, partnership development, funding applications, programme design, delivery coordination, and comprehensive evaluation.
Community Engagement & Outreach
I specialise in creating programmes that reach underserved communities and break down barriers to creative participation. My work focuses on building sustainable engagement that continues beyond individual projects.
Current Practice
Alongside my role as Creative Engagement Manager at imitating the dog, I work regularly as a freelance facilitator and writer in residence, delivering creative writing and spoken word workshops and residencies in schools, universities and community settings across Greater Manchester and the North. I am a regular Writer in Residence with national literacy charity First Story, working with secondary school students to generate and publish anthologies of their writing, and deliver ongoing projects with Create Arts and other partners.
I am always open to new commissions, partnerships and collaborations – please get in touch to discuss further.
Experience & Training
I am a CASE (Culture & Arts Specialists in Education) Fellow, a qualified Arts Award adviser at all levels, and a Designated Safeguarding Lead. My postgraduate research at Cambridge engaged with flow theory, feedback literacy in adolescent writers, and the decolonisation of the creative writing curriculum – work that directly informs my current facilitation practice.
I have delivered workshops and projects with the British Library, First Story, Apples & Snakes, Contact, Lowry, the Royal Exchange Theatre, Shakespeare Schools Festival and many others, working across theatres, schools, universities, community centres and secure settings. From 2016 – 2021 I was Youth Theatre Director at Collective Encounters, where I led the company's youth programme and developed outreach projects across the Liverpool City Region.
Safeguarding & Professional Standards
- Full enhanced DBS certificate
- Mental Health First Aid qualified (Youth pathway)
- First Aid at Work certified
- Designated Safeguarding Lead training
- Public liability insurance (£10m)
- Full driving licence with own vehicle
Work With Schools & Universities
I offer a range of creative writing and spoken word workshops, residencies and CPD sessions for schools and higher education institutions. Download my education offer documents below:
Creative Writing & Performance in Schools (PDF)
Creative Writing for Higher Education (PDF)
Evaluation & Impact
I also work as an independent evaluator for arts, education and community organisations. Having delivered creative programmes for over twenty years, I understand what change looks like from the inside and how to gather evidence that genuinely reflects it. I work with funded organisations to produce evaluations that satisfy funder requirements, highlight real learning, and tell the story of impact in ways people actually want to read. Services include programme evaluation, impact reporting, case study development and evaluation framework design.
What People Say
"Ben has now delivered two long-term creative writing programmes for us in school and has been excellent in every respect. He is as skilled and passionate a teacher as he is a writer and we are glad to have him as a partner."
– Luke Richardson, Trinity Church of England High School, Manchester
"Ben has been a pleasure to work with and delivered our project just how we wanted, while adding his own unique blend of talents to the mix. He's really great with children and teachers, and very sensitive to their needs and circumstances."
– Elvie Thompson, Lead Learning Producer North, British Library
"All of us – the WoW staff, the school staff and the pupils enjoyed a friendly day of first class creativity, and were inspired by how many young people went from workshop to performance in a matter of a couple of hours."
– Mike Morris, Writing On The Wall Festival
Working Together
I'm interested in partnerships that create meaningful change through creativity. Whether you're looking for one-off workshop delivery, ongoing programme development, or comprehensive project management, I'd love to discuss how we can work together.
Get in touch to explore possibilities.