Once Upon a Fairy Tale

What's your BIG dream?

About a month ago, I received my BIG dream - my dream of pursuing a career as a storyteller with not just any course, but THE course (Storytelling Beyond Words) the three-month residential course in the UK in 2024. They only accept about 20 people a year and it is very competitive. I still can't believe it. I've been stuck in disbelief for the past month and am not quite sure HOW I am going to make it happen financially.

The course costs $10,000AUD (accommodation and travel expenses are not included), any contribution made will go towards these costs. The funding deadline for the course fees is December 2023. This is an incredible opportunity for me. In 2020 I had a dark night of the soul and realised WHY I am here. During 2020, I saw no way out of my predicament and it was fairy tales and stories that showed me the way. To be accepted in this course only 3 years after starting on this path is phenomenal.

I'm applying for grants and sponsorship as well, but these aren't guaranteed and are very competitive. With your support, you could bring stories to adults and children alike by helping to bring a sense of belonging and connection to the creative spaces which oral storytelling fosters.

As a part of the programme in the U.K., I'm keen to develop a body of work to work with young people (aged 9-15), to build their confidence through folk and fairy tale - to prompt discussions about resilience, confidence, and facing adversity when it arrives. My experience as a teacher for 30+ years has shown me how much this is needed for young people, for them to shine their light, build connections, and feel happy in themselves.

This course will catapult me into a whole new level of mastery in storytelling, but will also allow me to bring oral storytelling back into my community, and particularly for young people where I hope to express my authenticity to inspire their own creativity and foster connection to self, each other and this magnificent world we live in.

I am incredibly grateful for your support.

Thank you for coming on this journey with me.

And for just reading this far, my heart is full.

Thank you.