People
“we have all of us one human heart.” – William Wordsworth, The Old Cumberland Beggar
Through our work, we have seen young children discover their creativity, people living with dementia remember poems that they love, those recovering from substance misuse create a writing group. Poetry offers the chance for people young and old to express themselves and embrace the world around them.
Every day, we see how poetry can enhance people’s lives. Poetry can also simply provide us with a sense of happiness and enjoyment, and the chance to embrace our creative side. Reimagining Wordsworth will give us the chance to create new spaces and opportunities to bring people closer to poetry, both at Dove Cottage and across Cumbria.
The project will help us to involve to communities and groups across Cumbria, bringing poetry to more people through pop-up events and exhibitions. We will also offer training for group and workshop leaders. We will help them to develop their skills so that they too can use the power of poetry to make a difference to people’s lives.
There will be new spaces in the Wordsworth Museum for hands-on activities. Staff and volunteers will help people to have a go at quill-writing, rag rug-making and other crafts. This will create a sense of fun and involvement for everyone who visits, creating a shared learning experience. A new learning centre will be a place for schools, families and community groups to enjoy workshops and activities.
There will be things to do outdoors for people of all interests, inspired by Wordsworth’s love of nature and landscape. Children will be able to play in the woodland next to Dove Cottage while others can take time to relax and reflect in a new walled garden at the heart of the hamlet. Access for people with disabilities will be improved across the site.