Joe White never considered himself a great story teller, indeed his early school interests centred around maths and science, not the arts. However, he had soon transformed himself into an innovative, entertaining storyteller and embarked on the challenge of becoming chairperson for an active storytelling organisation. Through this journey, Joe has delighted many and perhaps surprised himself with his natural gift for storytelling and the subsequent recognition he has deservedly received.
Joe’s interest in storytelling was first sparked during a school “local stories” project, run by Mythstories, an organisation dedicated to storytelling as an art. Gaining confidence, in 2009 he entered the Young Storyteller of the Year competition. Despite being formally eligible for the under 18′s category, he participated in the under 25′s to allow a friend to take his place in the younger bracket. He was the youngest participant in his category and still went on to compete in the Shropshire heats and was chosen with two other students to represent Shropshire in the finals, at
England’s premier storytelling festival.
Such accolades and his own enthusiasm prompted Joe to accept the invitation to become the first Chairperson of the STWYtellers. This organisation was established in 2008 to train teenagers in the art of storytelling. He displayed imagination and innovation in his approach, developing new workshops, teaching diverse groups and transforming traditional stories into highly personalised, creative entertainment that all could enjoy. He had a clear strategy, to expand the parameters of the project and take the role beyond that of traditional storytelling. Instead Joe encouraged children to use their skills to hold and run storytelling sessions with each other and within the community. He is
involved in all aspects of the project and is instrumental in generating funds and raising the profile of the organisation.
Through this work, Joe has developed into an extremely confident and articulate individual, rightly receiving recognition from many quarters. He recently gained his Silver Arts Award in storytelling and was selected to participate in the National Youth Parliament, where along with 400 other students, he took part in the high profile, televised debate, broadcast on the BBC.
Joe’s involvement in the wider community is extensive. He has expanded STWYtellers to cover new schools, incorporating over 120 students in the local area. He is an active Rotarian, for whom he has been a committed fund raiser and he has completed a Youth Leadership course run by the Rotary Club. Somehow amongst all of this he still found the time to undertake a storywalk of his home town.
Joe has impressed people, often many years his senior, through his commitment, intelligence and
positive outlook. Dez Quarréll, his nominator says:
“Joe is passionate in his beliefs and will always speak up for what he believes is right. He is prepared to work hard for others and is not floored at the first hurdle. Most importantly Joe always lets his sunny disposition and charm rule his actions.”
Characteristics that will undoubtedly ensure he achievers further great things in the years ahead.
[...] Joe White will shadow the RSA Events staff team and see behind the scenes of how they plan for a public event. [...]