Storytelling Skills Workshop

Storytelling Skills

Author: Symplexis - Nora Giannakaki

Introduction

Family storytelling - Copyright free , https://www.istockphoto.com/search/search-by-asset?affiliate

Your task as a cultural mediator is to prepare a workshop for the members of your community/ region or city/ village, on storytelling skills development for building stronger communities and overcoming loneliness.

Storytelling is beneficial for everyone and all ages.

Storytelling is the highest form of communication, where the teller and the audience connect in many different ways.

Recent research has shown that storytelling has a positive impact on our physiology: an engaging story can even change some of our main hormones, an as a result, we feel healthier, happier and less lonely.

If you want to know more on this topic, read further! :)

What’s the activity?

Family picture about storytelling

Methodology

This webquest is

based on the ACE partnership,s (organisational) knowledge, expertise and experience in delivering capacity programs in the field of art and adult education,
built on inclusive learning approach - where nobody is left behind
based on experiential skills-based learning theory,
serves also as an example for community-based training.

Within the framework of the ACE Culture Project in this quest, you are encouraged to use a participatory and collaborative approach for all the above; It means that your workshop attendees will have the opportunity to express and creatively celebrate the culture of their local community. “Participatory” is a term used to express not only participation, collaboration and engagement of a given audience or target group. It also entitles the target group with co-author rights, giving it room to express itself or give itself a voice, so it can point their view. Is a democratic approach that fosters inclusion, pride, collective stewardship and helps building a sense of community.

All the above can become important tools, supporting you when creating a community based learning event and focusing on skills development during the process. Storytelling for ACE is not just about connecting but also personal and professional growth through learning and practising skills.

As for the chosen topic of storytelling, it is accessible for all and can become a strong basis for exploring local cultural treasures, folklore resources, resulting in better community engagement and strengthening personal and communal identity for eliminating loneliness and isolation.

What am I going to do?

In this section you will find detailed simplified instructions (step by step) on how to plan, prepare and implement a short workshop in your community.

Get prepared and organised: Be sure that you provide an invitation both on and offline and at least a week before the date of the event; spread the word through organisations supporting and having active communication with your community's members. Create a workshop poster and invitation image - a catchy visual design will help you attract more people.
Remember what you already know and have: your work and personal experiences, studies, research you have made and resources you have for organising your workshop. What you may need: organising staff, other workshop facilitator(s), venue place, technical support, equipment, musician(s);
Plan the budget needed and look for sponsors or other supporters. Find people who would like to support your initiative voluntarily.
As a workshop facilitator, find a safe and inspiring space/ place for your workshop; Storytelling can happen only when all participants feel safe and comfortable to share their stories, start a dialogue and connect with each other. A place that is welcoming, has pleasant lighting; suitable temperature; no noise; so participants can connect through conversation easily without barriers.
Focus on delivering your workshop in a supportive and pleasant atmosphere, where everybody can open up. In the end, shouldn't learning be fun?
Inclusivity is your priority - make an effort to reach out to vulnerable groups in your community, who may be more at risk of isolation. Remember that inclusivity is also about accessibility: your event is more inclusive when people with disabilities or difficulties in their movement can have access (both on and offline).
This quest is built on the idea of community building and group spirit, therefore we recommend facilitating this workshop in a group of 4+ people. (However, the whole methodology is applicable in a one to one learning method, too.)
Use digital tools: you can make your material more engaging with projecting pictures or a short movie on the wall or through live streaming; This is a great way of sharing the results of the ACE Project with interested parties: present the project platform and website to them; while talking about the objectives of the project. Open a file for organising your documents: to do list,event scenario document, list of participants, etc.
Prepare a risk plan: it should be a simple document that lists possible risks during your organisation on financial and human resources.
After your workshop, reflect on what could be improved and tweaked next time - for better outcomes; you can prepare a reflection tool for your participants, where they can tell their opinion about the workshop anonymously.
You can find useful information in the Resources section with tips and hints for a workshop.

In the videos section you can find a short video about storytelling and its positive impact on well being. The magical science of storytelling | David JP Phillips:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj-hdQMa3uA&t=308s

What will I learn?

Knowledge Acquired:

Knowledge on your community/ -ies needs according to storytelling and community building.
Knowledge on storytelling techniques and methods and its positive impact on mental health and communities.
Basic knowledge on collaborative, participatory, inclusive and skills-based learning - the main methodology pillar recommended of this quest.
Basic knowledge on how to organise a cultural - educational event/ workshop.
Basic knowledge on how to prepare tools for feedback and reflection after the learning process.

Skills Acquired:

Leadership
Communication
Storytelling
Enthousiasm
Compassion
Resilience
Problem solving
Planning and organising (time management, resourcing, etc.) a workshop based on the methodology presented in this webquest
Researching: finding online resources and using them effectively for creating and delivering a workshop on storytelling.

Attitude Acquired:

Curiosity
Openness
Self -confidence
Empathy
Inclusivity
Optimism
Team - focused attitude
Self - reflection and self - criticism
Advanced body language - soft tone of voice, lowered chin, smile, calm hand gestures, etc

What will I take home?

As a Cultural Mediator and community workshop facilitator, it is important that you bring the members of your community together, giving them a sense of belonging - one of the main pillars of wellbeing and mental health, while their personal and collective identity also develop through stories.

You will grow as a professional, too. Your artistic career will be boosted by gaining experience and knowledge on how to organise workshops and community events around the most powerful communication tool, storytelling.

Your attendees and you will have better soft skills (skills mentioned above) that will definitely help them in personal and professional life.

At a community level, it is estimated that after the event(s) organised based on this quest, your local community members will feel less lonely and isolated and more motivated in participate in similar future learning events.

Resources
Click each section below to see all resources available.

Websites (URLs)

The science of storytelling
https://demandspring.com/blog/the-science-behind-storytelling/#:~:text=There%20are%20three%20hormones%20that,on%20our%20brain%20and%20body.

Running your own storytelling workshop
https://medium.com/kinandcartacreated/running-your-own-storytelling-workshop-f7f414390c77

Videos

Frontline Worker Toolkit

Aims and Objectives:

Introduce storytelling skills development to art workers/ art educators
Introduce workshop planning and delivery to art workers/ art educators
Strengthen community through the technique of storytelling
Eliminate loneliness and isolation through storytelling.

Top tips:

Tips to art educators and frontline workers:

Make your “homework”: read the quest, do your research, “own’ the topic! You are supposed to share your thoughts, knowledge and experience around storytelling skills with your audience or learners and this needs preparation.
Get digital! Share your sources and resources with your learners through your online platform(s) for better informing and engaging them. You can also do this through your company or organisation channels if allowed.
Never lose focus on diversity and equity: Be sure that the language, the material and tools you use are all inclusive.
The main goal of this quest is to raise awareness on the importance of mental health and the need to eliminate loneliness and isolation during and after the health crisis and you are an important actor in this campaign! Your are not responsible for the happiness and health of others but you can support others and make significant positive change in others lives!
Use storytelling in your everyday life and work: becoming a good storyteller will help you connect with others and your learners and audience and make your work more enjoyable.
Think critically! WHatever you read here, or in other sources, face it with criticism. You are free to add and share your own research, knowledge and most importantly, your personal character when interacting with your learners / audience! Use humour, openness, honesty and curiosity! You are also a learner here!

Telling Stories: an Antidote to Loneliness (and Other Human Conditions)
https://thebuzzmagazines.com/articles/2017/07/telling-stories-antidote-loneliness-and-other-human-conditions

How To Boost Storytelling Skills: 16 Tips From Communications Pros
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/2020/12/21/how-to-boost-storytelling-skills-16-tips-from-communications-pros/?sh=49bd689e575b