Students met together in inspirational spaces for extended creative writing workshops led by Miranda Walker, writer-in-residence for the year. The workshops were re-created virtually to enable access for students unable to attend the workshops in person.

University of Gloucestershire Illustration undergraduates responded to the students’ brief to create the artwork for the front cover. And this was the first year that University of Gloucestershire photography undergraduates responded to the students’ writing and the photographs were published alongside the creative writing in the Anthology. 

The Anthology was launched at Waterstones in Cheltenham. And at The Times and The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival 2018, Beyond Words culminated with both an event and an exhibition.

"It’s been good – not just because of the writing but I’m getting out and seeing people similar to my age and whose lives are not going according to plan."

"It’s been good – not just because of the writing but I’m getting out and seeing people similar to my age and whose lives are not going according to plan."

- Jess, Beyond Words Student

"Participating in Beyond Words helped my son to grow in confidence, resilience and self-belief. It re-energised his sense of self-worth and empowered him as a writer."

"Participating in Beyond Words helped my son to grow in confidence, resilience and self-belief. It re-energised his sense of self-worth and empowered him as a writer."

- Parent