Young people take part in museum residency inspired by nature author
This summer, young people took part in a special nature and writing residency at Chelmsford Museum, inspired by legendary local nature writer J.A. Baker.
The residency saw Chelmsford Museum partner with New Generation Development Agency and Subliminal Productions.
Providing development opportunities for young people impacted by profiling
‘Lost For Words’ was a 12-week writing residency designed to connect 12 young people aged 15-24 with nature and help them to express their emotions through creative workshops and outdoor activities.
The project was inspired by Chelmsford Museum’s current exhibition ‘Restless Brilliance: The Story of J.A. Baker and The Peregrine’. A collaboration between Chelmsford Museum and the University of Essex, Restless Brilliance explores the life of one of the UK’s greatest nature writers, John Alec Baker, and the impact of his celebrated book, The Peregrine, through the archive of his work held by the university’s Albert Sloman Library.
Lost For Words was led by Georgie Davis (Ignite Chelmsford Partner) and Leila Davis from local music company, Subliminal Productions with support from Sangita Mittra from New Generation Development Agency to recruit suitable participants. NGDA are Community Development Specialists who set up bespoke projects and activities that provide resolutions for ethnically diverse communities and young people affected by racial, economic or identity profiling.
Georgie says the project provided a key safe space for programme participants to get out, socialise, and learn:
““We generally deal with a lot of broken home people, and we try and make sure that they feel like they’ve got a safe space to at least come and have food, come and talk to somebody, get interactive.
Georgie Davis, Subliminal Productions
"Lost For Words has provided that opportunity, that space for these participants who maybe have been suspended from school for bad behaviour or who encounter other challenges that make it difficult to get out, learn and socialise. Through this programme, they’re being given the chance to do something interactive that’s educational and helps them to build on themselves.”
Workshops exploring mindfulness and creativity
To begin the 12-week residency, the participants explored Restless Brilliance with co-curator, Sarah Harvey. They looked in detail at Baker’s joy for nature, his struggles with mental health, and how his writing inspired generations of environmental enthusiasts after him.
The young people then took part in a special video workshop with professional film company Brand and Culture Videos, who taught them how to film and edit their own video clips. The participants were then asked to utilise their new filming skills by recording clips of their experiences throughout the residency for inclusion in a film about the project.
Other workshops they enjoyed at Chelmsford Museum included art and writing sessions designed to boost confidence in their own work, and a mindfulness workshop which aimed to help them connect with their emotions.
Local poet and Ignite Chelmsford Partner, Ethan Stewart, also led a poetry workshop where he talked through his own poetry practices and shared elements of Baker’s writing that he found intriguing.
The project featured poetry workshops and mindfulness sessions.
Immersing in nature through day trips
In the spirit of creating connections with nature, the residency also worked with local organisations to organise day trips getting the participants to explore the great outdoors.
The Wilderness Foundation led one such workshop at their education centre. There, participants went on a nature walk with volunteer experts and learnt about local wildlife, looked at bugs, mastered how to build a den, and tried pond dipping before writing about their experiences.
The project took young people outdoors to explore green spaces and connect with nature.
They further explored nature writing in a nature journaling workshop with local artist and herbalist Lora Aziz of Wyrd Flora. During this session in Oaklands Park, the participants collected nature objects such as leaves, stones, and flowers, examining them in close detail before sticking them into journals and writing about them.
Creating a new generation of nature ambassadors
Lost For Words was funded with a sustainability grant from Share Museums East through the National Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England.
It used Restless Brilliance and Baker’s work as a springboard to inspire young people to talk about and connect with nature, poetry and writing.
The themed workshops and day trips looked to give participants a deeper understanding of the benefits of being in nature, and why they should engage with and protect our natural environment. The sessions aimed to boost their skills and confidence in poetry and writing and taught them how to apply those skills to difficult topics.
The Wilderness Foundation delivered a day of outdoor activities for participants.
Councillor Jennie Lardge, Cabinet Deputy for Cultural Services, says projects like Lost For Words are crucial for young people who haven’t previously had the chance to experience the benefits of connecting with nature:
““The Covid-19 pandemic severely impacted how young people interact with the natural world around them. Many of our young people today have limited contact with nature and don’t fully understand the importance of our natural environment and how it can positively impact our wellbeing.
Cllr Jennie Lardge, Cabinet Deputy for Cultural Services, Chelmsford City Council
“The core aim of Lost For Words was to provide an opportunity for a group of vulnerable young people in Chelmsford to learn about nature and become ambassadors for our natural world, whilst also building their own skills to help them become confident young adults. Our hope is that the programme has inspired some of these participants to become part of our next generation of poets and writers who advocate for the protection of nature, just like J.A. Baker did with The Peregrine.”
At the end of the residency, the young participants presented their writing and experiences to friends and family in a finale event at Chelmsford Museum. There, they spoke about the strong impact the programme had on them:
““I have discovered quite a lot during this, but the main thing is I know how to sit and actually write something. And I know that before, I’d sit in my room, I wouldn’t go out by myself. But now, being in this project, I actually go out and focus on what is good.”
Lily, Lost For Words participant
Restless Brilliance exhibition extended into 2025
A film about the Lost For Words project was created by Brand and Culture Videos using participant footage and interviews with the project leads. The video is now part of the Restless Brilliance exhibition, reflecting the impact that J.A. Baker’s legacy continues to have on generations today.
The exhibition has now been extended and will be on display at Chelmsford Museum until 23rd February 2025. It’s free to visit, so make sure you don’t miss the chance to find out more about Chelmsford’s celebrated and mysterious nature writer.
Cherelle writes about Chelmsford Theatre, Hylands Estate, Chelmsford Museum, the Mayor of Chelmsford and culture and events in the city.