Gravesham Diaries

Creative storytelling contest

You could win a prize!

If Your Trainers Could Talk, What Would They Say?

Every gym session, local walk, garden workout, and playground game tells a story. But we’ve already heard your version.

We want to hear from the things that were there with you - and through their eyes… your running shoes, your basketball or even the local park!

Whether you’re 6 or 66 years old, a writer, a filmmaker, or a painter—we want you to bring a local object or environment to life!

Three steps to fuel your imagination

You don’t need to be a professional artist to win. You just need an interesting point of view / story that celebrates being active.

Here’s some tips to inspire your story…

  1. Get Moving: Do a physical activity locally. It could be a session at the gym, a walk around Gravesham, a game with your kids, or yoga in your garden.

  2. Pick Your Narrator: Choose an object or place involved (e.g., a football, a water bottle, your running shoes, or the park path) to tell your story through their eyes.

  3. Tell Their Story: Imagine that object has thoughts, feelings, and eyes. What did it see? How did it feel? What did it notice about our community?

Got a question?
Contact

Isabella Ferrazza, Community Connector 

email: Isabella.Ferrazza@thegrand.org.uk

Phone the office 01474 320123

(Office open Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm)

Register to take part - click here

Judging Criteria: 

Stories will be considered based on: 

  • Creativity and originality 

  • Clear sense of place 

  • How well the object’s voice is used 

  • Insight into experiences of physical activity 

  • Emotional depth or humour (all styles welcome) 

  • This is not a grammar or spelling contest; content and creativity matter most! 

Story Requirements: 

  • Written story; this could be an essay, poem, short story, up-to 1000 words max, in any language 

  • Video/performance arts;  3 to 5 minutes in length 

  • Visual arts; such as a painting, sculpture, drawing, etc. max 3 piece submission 

Deadline to submit: 5pm on Wednesday 19 August

Prizes TBA.

Register to take part - click here

How to submit your work:

1. Post it to us: The Grand: Healthy Living Centre, 4-9 Wilfred Street, Gravesend, DA12 2HA



2. Drop it off at one of our community partners:

  • The Grand Healthy Living Centre, 4-9 Wilfred Street, Gravesend, DA12 2HA

  • St. Botolph’s Church, The Hill, Northfleet, DA11 9EU

  • Lawn Family Hub, Lawn Rd, Northfleet, Gravesend DA11 9HB

  • Riverside Family Hub, Dickens Rd, Gravesend DA12 2JY

  • St Aidan’s Church, St Aidan's Way, Gravesend DA12 4AG

  • The Hive Library, 10-11 Hive Ln, Northfleet, Gravesend DA11 9DE

3. email it to us:

graveshamdiarysubmission@gmail.com

Remember to clearly label your work with:

  • Your full name

  • Address

  • Email address

  • Phone number

  • Age

  • Title of your work

Fair Play for All Ages!

To make sure everyone has a fair shot.

Entries will be judged across five age groups:

  • Early Years: Up to 6 yrs

  • Children: 7–12 years old

  • Teens: 13–17 years old

  • Adults: 18–64 years old

  • Older Adults: 65+ years young

What are the rules?

  • You must live in the borough of Gravesham 

  • You cannot use AI in any of your submissions

  • Deadline to submit: 5pm on 19 August

Coming Soon - save the date

Community Showcase and Fun Day 

Wednesday 26 August 26th

11am - 3pm  at The Hive, Northfleet 

Activities on the day to enjoy…

  • Food and community stalls 

  • Select activities (crafts/creative, games, sport) 

  • Disco and music 

  • Photobooth and story-capture station 

  • Exhibition of submissions 

  • Winner ceremony 

  • Feedback booth 

Ways to get started…

  1. Choose a physical activity you will do locally – can be something you normally do or completely new! 

    • A session at a local gym or fitness studio 

    • A walk around your local area 

    • A sports session at a community space 

    • Exercise in your garage, garden, or living room 

    • A playful activity with your children 

    • A class, club, or community session 

    2. Pick an object or an environment/place involved with that activity. For example: 

    • A football 

    • A yoga mat 

    • A pair of running shoes 

    • A water bottle 

    • A park 

    • A walking/biking path 

    • A fitness studio 

    • A playground 

    • Community/leisure centres 

    3. After you do the activity using the object, tell your story, imagining the object has thoughts, feelings, and its own version of events. Ask yourself: 

    • What did it see? 

    • What did it feel? 

    • What challenges did it face? 

    • Who did it interact with? 

    • What did it notice about your day, your surroundings, or your community? 

    • Who was there? Who was missing? 

Potential Prompts to help with story ideas…

About the Object’s Day 

  • Where did I go today? 

  • Who carried me, kicked me, held me, or ignored me? 

  • What did I notice about the places we visited? 

    About Physical Experience 

  • How did it feel to be used? Was it smooth, awkward, exciting, tiring? 

  • What movements or moments stood out? 

    About Barriers 

  • Was there anything that made the journey difficult? A place, situation, or feeling? 

    About Joy or Connection 

  • What moments made me feel useful, happy, connected, or part of something bigger? 

    About Northfleet 

  • What did I see or sense about life, community, or activity here? 

This project is part of our partnership work with Active Kent and Medway and funded by Sport England