The May 2022 writing trail provides an exciting opportunity for individuals whatever age, whatever the weather, to participate in an enjoyable and enriching learning experience! QR codes containing simple and fun ‘writing prompts’ will be placed at strategic sites in and around Ealing Broadway. The objective of this writing trail is for individuals to find all the QR codes and respond to the clues provided. Throughout the trail, you will also find key quotes by British creatives, both past and present, who have not only encouraged creativity to thrive but also place importance on our wellbeing. Quotes which would not otherwise be present in locations are a great way of helping us to see a location from a new perspective as well as boosting our wellbeing and mood. A diverse range of writing workshops for all ages will also be held in the month of May to further promote creativity and wellbeing.

What we'll deliver:

• A well designed and accessible writing trail
• A diverse range of writing workshops for all ages with a focus on creativity and wellbeing
• A website containing all the information needed for the month-long event including an interactive map for participants

Why it's a great idea:

Like scavenger and treasure hunts, writing trails can have a broad appeal, and this trail is open to anyone who visits Ealing, thereby attracting neighbouring towns and beyond. Creative trails also increase cultural activity engagement among communities. There is a strong emphasis on wellbeing; the trail endorses the ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’; (1)connect, (2)be active, (3)keep learning, (4)take notice, and (5)give, as identified in the 2011 report for Foresight, the UK Government’s futures think-tank. For example, the writing trail involves walking and taking notice of the surrounding environment in a creative and engaging way; this is markedly different from how we might normally connect with the environment on a day-to-day basis. The current need for creativity and wellbeing is particularly important for the local community and the public in general, while coping with the ongoing impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and the challenges in transitioning out of the national restrictions.

Steps to get it done:

• Designing and developing an easy and accessible writing trail
• Design of interactive and downloadable map for respondents to use on the writing trail
• Generating Dynamic QR Codes
• Design of website and brand
• Buying banners and placing these strategically in and around Ealing Broadway (with permissions)
• Selection and Recruitment of writing workshop facilitators
• Securing and hiring of venues for the purpose of hosting writing workshops
• Using multiple social channels to promote the writing trail

The proposed writing trail will take place in May 2022; coinciding with national campaigns that also take place in the month of May and share some common ground with this project: National Walking Month, and Mental Health Awareness Week (13-20 May 2022). The writing trail will also be attractive to local schools who wish to use it as part of a school trip as well as workplaces who want to take advantage of an outdoor activity as part of a team-building exercise for their employees. It will also appeal to individuals working in the Health sector, i.e. link workers, particularly those interested in the field of social-prescribing. This exciting event would represent Ealing’s first ever writing trail providing an opportunity for the general public and local communities to get involved. The data yielded from the QR codes (i.e. the wellbeing questions) may be of interest to those in the Health sector and, particularly those working towards the wider interests of the Ealing community.