Page 13 - link magazine

Education News

Write a novel in 30 days Social activities for the over 55s
Swindon Central Library is hosting Your writing can be as rubbish as is a good way to boost better health
a month long challenge to help as you like. All you have to do is write
many people in the town as possible 50,000 words in one month (that’s Researchers at Harvard to fight loneliness and
to write an entire novel during roughly 1667 words a day) and at University have isolation by finding out
what an organisation
discovered that having
November. the end … you’ll have a book. few or no friends could like U3A can offer you,
This personal challenge is “If you stop to think about it,
organised nationwide by non-profit writing a novel in a month might be as deadly as smoking, or somebody you know
organisation Office of Letters and be crazy– but it’s a genius kind of according to Martin Preston of U3A who does not have much social
Light and is run by volunteers in crazy. It’s brilliant. It’s a lightbulb Swindon. interaction.
He added: “The underlying aim
They’ve found a link between
each town across the country. pinging on in your brain. loneliness and the levels of the of U3A is that companionship and
Participants aim to write 50,000 “NaNoWriMo is a fun, seat-of-
words of original fiction (usually a your-pants approach to creative blood clotting agent Fibrinogen social interaction are key benefits of
novel) between 1 November and 30 writing. It needs work for sure, but which can cause heart attacks and taking up new interests and sharing
November, with free events running you’ll have written it. And earned stroke. Social isolation is believed them with like-minded people.
Music, exercise, learning languages,
to cause an increase of the clotting
throughout the month for people to bragging rights for being a novelist, agent which could lead to higher visiting places of interest and many
write alongside other participants which is a nifty title.”
and offer each other support. The project launches at Central blood pressure and a build-up of other activities make joining one or
Swindon based volunteer Victoria Library on Sunday 30 October, 12pm fatty deposits in the arteries. more of U3A’s 140+ groups possibly
The study found that people
Boulton says: “Valuing enthusiasm, to 3.30pm. There will be writing with just five others in their social the best thing a retired or semi-
retired person can do.
determination, and a deadline, workshops at the library every network had 20 per cent higher “We all know life changes as we
National Novel Writing Month Saturday in November from midday
(NaNoWriMo) is for anyone who to 3.30pm. levels fibrinogen than those with get older. We also know there are
has ever thought about writing a Find out more at: 25. The loss of 10 to 12 friends had a lot more older people than ever
novel. www.bit.ly/NovelwriteSwindon16 the same impact on levels as taking before and fewer services available
to help us. So it is vital to stay
up smoking.
“Nobody looks over your shoulder. or www.nanowrimo.org
Martin commented: “The British active in mind and body as well as
West youngsters challenged to write about Heart Foundation say we cannot socialising. U3A is a member driven
conclude definitely that social
organization which allows people to
their community for a new Darkmouth book isolation directly causes heart connect with others, to challenge
BT and Barclays are giving budding or memories of their hometown. problems and say more research is themselves, to help others, to have
young authors in West Swindon the This competition encourages young needed to look at the link.” fun and a lot of laughs to stay
chance to co-write a new book by people to share their experiences of He agrees it will be some time active in mind and body.”
the end of November with best- growing up in Swindon and include before firm conclusions can be See the range of courses and
selling author of the Darkmouth everything they love about the area reached, but this research suggests activities on offer at:
series Shane Hegarty. - its quirks, local landmarks and there’s good reason to take steps www.swindonu3a.org.uk
In partnership with HarperCollins unique history.
Children’s Books, Shane has written Shane said: “The power of story-
the first chapter to kick-off the telling is universal. My mission
competition and inspire the rest as a children’s author is to spark
of the story. Set in the Darkmouth imaginations.
universe, heroes Emily and Damian “It’s a common assumption that
set-off on a whirlwind adventure in the internet distracts young people
pursuit of a mythical monster. from reading. But online access
This is a chance for under 18s opens up a world of inspiration,
to receive guidance from a local as well as providing a valuable
Barclay’s Digital Eagle, to continue research resource. My challenge
the story, writing a 500-word to Swindon young people is to
chapter about Emily and Damian’s contribute to the story chain,
monster-hunting exploits in their thinking creatively about their local
local area. area.”
BT research has shown that 43 Find out about the competition by
per cent of Brits feel proud of their dropping into West Swindon Library
community when they share stories and chatting to a member of staff.

swindonlink.com n November 2016 13

NW November 2016 Master Pages.indd 13 20/10/2016 10:37