Imagination blooms in Seaham garden

A County Durham community space has been transformed to inspire children this summer.

Hall Street Allotment, in Seaham, became the Magical Story Garden, hosting a four-week storytelling project funded by believe housing. 

Local children’s authors led weekly workshops that combined nature, creative writing and outdoor learning to engage young imaginations.

More than 80 children and families joined activities including story-themed gardening, arts and crafts, foraging trails and visits focused on bee education. 

The project, which was the brainchild of children’s author and illustrator Kylie Dixon, encouraged reading, writing, and connecting with the natural world in a hands-on way.

Kylie said: “My stories are all inspired by the allotments where I grew up, especially my dad’s plot here in Seaham.

“I wanted to create a space where those stories could come to life, and where families could experience a bit of that magic in real life. 

“I could see how powerful storytelling and nature can be for boosting children’s confidence and creativity. 

“The opportunity to bring both together, here in my hometown, just felt like the right thing.

“Storytelling helps children to believe in themselves. 

“It gives them a voice, a way to process their emotions and a chance to imagine something bigger. 

“Creative writing isn’t just about putting words on a page, it’s about confidence, expression and connection.”

A £1000 community grant from believe housing helped cover supplies, marketing and lunches, ensuring the sessions were accessible and enjoyable for all participants.

Anne Marie Parkin, community investment coordinator for believe housing, added: “Creative writing is an important skill for a child to learn as it can unlock doors in the future and help boost their confidence.”

“When Kylie contacted us about the Magical Story Garden, we were blown away by the idea.

“We loved that it helped bring an underused community garden to life and get families closer to nature, while also teaching children important skills for their future.”

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