In association with Kilkenny County Council A free screening of writing home documentary

Monday 20th February 6.30pm in e Set eatre, Kilkenny

In association with Kilkenny County Council, there will be a free screening of Writing Home, a documentary about creative engagement developed by poet Colm Keegan for homeless service users.

e programme was supported by Kilkenny County Council, Creative Ireland and Poetry Ireland.

e initiative was developed to improve understanding around issues of homeless- ness while supporting social integration and aims to inform policy decisions around the use of the arts within state funded services.

Colm worked with several service providers across the country, developing and delivering a programme of workshops to engage with homeless service users in Dublin, Kilkenny and Waterford with each location working towards a public celebration of the creativity of participants.

Colm worked with selected groups over a period of 6 weeks. ese groups explored multiple means of written self-expression and re ection, like rap and spoken word as well as looking at structure, character and storytelling. Each participant created a small body of work, based on their own life experiences. e process was far more successful than envisaged, with real engagement from homeless service users, a marginalised group who can be di cult to reach using established Arts project delivery. e creative potential unleashed and the wellbeing outcomes were such a revelation that the initiative was awarded Best Education/ is free screening will be followed by a panel discussion with Colm Keegan, Director of Housing Services in Kilkenny Mary Mulholland and representatives from local emergency service provid- ers in Kilkenny. Booking required through Eventbrite https://www. eventbrite.ie/e/writinghome-documentary-screening-tickets-542700229997

Training Initiative at the All Ireland Community & Council Awards (LAMAs).

For more information visit www.colmkeeganpoetry.com

Contact Kerrie O’ Brien 0871260022