Residents from Blackburn with Darwen have showcased their poetry and stories at a special exhibition launch at the town's Quaker Hall.
Writers from the Word Power Collective have put together a literature zine, which through the lens of journeys portrays each author’s personal experience.
With a focus on inclusion, the group chose to accompany their stories with artwork – to make it accessible for all who wanted to contribute.
The zine featured work from people of all ages who shared their thoughts on everything from their love of Blackburn Rovers to environmental concerns.
Project manager, Farmeen Akhtar, said: “Writing is universal, and each culture has its own way of writing and expressing themselves and it brings communities together and breaks down barriers.
“You can express yourself differently when you write, and I feel that is why it resonates with people, and when they are not constricted to any standards is what makes it inclusive to everyone and we want to be inclusive.
“We are all poets in our own way and that is what makes us unique.
“I hope people are inspired. It’s as simple as that.”
The zine took 11 weeks to make and aims to break down barriers by providing a safe place for individuals to come and express their own experiences, histories and cultures through a series of topics.
Members discussed art and writing, festivals, hobbies, celebrations, identities and their journey.
This experience allowed members to learn about one another’s culture and backgrounds and produce several works that told their respective stories.
Many of those who took part had no experience of writing and were simply asked to express their thoughts in any way they could.
Ms Akhtar added: “We have had people who fear writing but when you see their work it is amazing and they can write.
“You say you can’t write but you just produced such an amazing piece of work.”
The Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, Councillor Brian Taylor, attended the event and cut a ceremonial cake to launch the collection.
Councillor Taylor said: “This is an ideal opportunity to bring those writing skills out, and to bring people’s life stories to the fore and for other people to share in them.
“It is absolutely filling a void in the lives of people in Blackburn and Darwen. It’s cathartic, it's therapeutic and it helps with trauma.”
Whilst this copy has not been named, the first edition 'Our Collective Stories' hopes to go to print so it can be shared with the community, and it is hoped more zines will go to print in future.
The event was funded by Near Neighbours, which provides small grants for local projects to bring people from different ethnic and religious communities together.
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