Evaluation of our programs is incredibly important to us, as it helps us know we are making an impact and informs the design of our programs.
We’ve worked hard with respected evaluation consultants Clear Horizon to develop a robust evaluation framework for all of our programs. We are proud that the results have been overwhelmingly positive, and have highlighted the impact of our workshops on young people’s writing, literacy skills and confidence.
Teachers report that:
78% of their students are more confident writers
76% of their students improved their literacy
93% of teachers have changed their practice
and
81% of students reported that they enjoyed writing with us
I genuinely cannot thank Story Factory enough! The kids were RAVING about the program and continued to discuss with the teaching team how much they learned. Many of these students withdraw in the general mixed ability classroom and this workshop showed them how they can shine!
Teacher, Emmaus Catholic College
Our approach
At Story Factory, we believe that reading is access but writing is agency. Our writing programs have been designed to help build writing skills, confidence and creativity in young people so that they can write their own stories and see themselves as authors who have a voice worth sharing with the world.
We see everyday how creative writing helps young people feel better about themselves and their lives, and now we have evidence to support this claim. We commissioned independent evaluation consultancy String Theory to examine research on how creative writing can improve the wellbeing of young people, especially those with culturally and linguistically diverse and First Nations heritage.
The resulting paper collates evidence showing that creative writing programs can improve wellbeing in four ways, by helping young people to:
- Be present in the moment;
- Connect with self, by exploring identity and emotions;
- Experience agency, a sense that they are in charge of their narrative;
- Connect with others, both in the class and beyond, with readers.
The paper concludes that creative writing programs have significant potential to improve wellbeing for young people, particularly those who do not feel they have a voice.
The best thing in this program is that it has helped me expand my mind with ideas for creative writing and poetry.
Student, after-school program
Story Factory works with young people to help them find their voice and write better futures for themselves. We create a free and safe environment both in-person and online, where young people can write, create, connect and experience a sense of belonging.
Dr Catherine Keenan AM, Executive Director & Co-founder, Story Factory
Our Alumni
Once young people have found their voice, there is no limit to what they can achieve. Alumni of our programs have gone on to become celebrated members of their communities and pursue vibrant careers – including publishing award-winning novels, securing roles at publishing houses, and being awarded writing fellowships. Their achievements are a testament to the success of our programs and the transformative power of creative writing.
Achievements of young people who participated in our Year of Poetry program include:
- Won the Hachette Young Writers Prize for Poetry;
- Partnered with VIVID to create art installations of their writing in Sydney and Parramatta;
- Commissioned to write pieces for Frankie Magazine and Frankie Spaces;
- Had their writing published in Suburban Review;
- Won the Red Room’s Poem Forest Poetry Prize;
- Secured internships at Penguin Random House and Red Room Poetry;
- Participated in the 2023 and 2024 Sydney Writers’ Festival as part of Story Factory’s Prescription Poetry stall.
Achievements of young people who participated in our Year of the Novella program include:
- Received the Penguin Random House Australia Write It Fellowship 2023 for their novel;
- Shortlisted for the Penguin Random House Australia Write It Fellowship;
- Secured an internship at Penguin Random House and now works in their marketing department.