I am happy to arrange to visit your school, library, reading group or writing group. I am also happy to participate in Skype, Zoom or on-line visits if this works better for you. I've worked with children, teenagers and adults and can talk to your group about my books, or I can run a writing workshop tailored to the needs and interests of participants.
I am on the Writers in Schools Scheme, which is one of the longest running arts-in-education programmes in the country. It is run by Poetry Ireland and funded by the Arts Council/ An Chomhairle Ealaíon. The Writer in Schools Scheme part-funds visits by writers and storytellers to schools throughout Ireland.
I also visit schools, libraries and events independently of the Writers in Schools Scheme. If this is something of interest to you and you're wondering how much it costs, I charge the same rates as the Writers in School Scheme for visits, workshop, travel and subsistence expenses. Get in touch with me if you need to know more information or if you have other ideas that aren't covered here.
My last two books, A Dangerous Crossing and Chalkline are very suitable for discussion groups and workshops around the area of Developmental Education. I have used them as a base around which to build a programme of lessons on multicultural education.
If you are interested in arranging a visit, please feel welcome to contact me.
Once I've agreed a visit date and time with you, I'll be in touch to find out about the number and age of participants, the location, the facilities, and what type of talk or workshop you're expecting. I might ask for access to audio-visual equipment, a white board, flip-chart and pens and paper for participants.
It's really helpful if participants are prepared in advance for my visit, so they know who to expect and what I will be doing. I don't expect everyone to have read my books, but it makes for a more successful and enjoyable visit for everyone if students and participants know something about me.
When I visit children in schools, libraries or writing groups, I don't work alone with any group of children. This is in line with my Child Protection Policy. Please ensure that there's always a supervising adult from the library, school or organising group present at all times.
I am happy to sign books and answer questions during and after any visit or presentation. Even though I'm often asked, I don't sign loose pages torn from notebooks, scraps of paper, hands, arms or foreheads.
I am happy for participants to contact me after an event in relation to reading, writing and/or activities undertaken during my visit. I welcome a follow-up with young people I have met and will respond in kind by writing back or emailing the event organiser.
Please read my Child Protection Policy around contact with young people after a visit.
As a writer who works closely with children and young people in a variety of settings in relation to reading, writing and books, I have a personal responsibility to ensure the protection of children and young people participating in workshops and activities that I run.
With this in mind, I have developed my Child Protection Policy. If I am visiting your school, library or writing group where children and young people will be taking part, please feel welcome to download this policy so that you will understand the principles that guide my work.
I have developed this document in accordance the key principles of best practice from Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children, published in 2017 by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.
I have also been Garda-vetted by the Writers in Schools Scheme for working in schools, and by some County Councils for work in local libraries.
©Jane Mitchell. Website updated 2022.