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About Us
Sharing Stories, Shaping Societies
Origins and Evolution
The Transforming Words Foundation (TTWF) emerged from Black in White (BiW), a social enterprise founded by Charlotte Shyllon in 2020. Over four years, BiW ran an annual poetry competition and published five anthologies that explored prejudice, racism, and unconscious bias. TTWF builds on this legacy to further amplify the voices of those who are marginalised.
Mission and Purpose
TTWF empowers individuals through the transformative power of language. Its mission is to provide platforms for marginalised voices to express their experiences via creative writing and poetry. Through storytelling, TTWF fosters understanding, encourages resilience, and challenges societal prejudices, shaping a more inclusive and empathetic world.
Programmes and Impact
Led by Charlotte Shyllon, TTWF offers workshops and programmes that promote self-expression and healing. These initiatives help individuals confront challenges, break down social barriers, and find strength in their stories. TTWF seeks to inspire lasting change in communities by nurturing creativity and advocating for social justice.
A Movement for Change
TTWF harnesses the power of words to uplift and heal. By supporting this initiative, you contribute to a future where silenced voices find strength, resilience, and inspiration. Writing becomes a tool for empowerment, fostering a world where every story shared paves the way for justice, compassion, and transformation.
Registered Charity Number: 1213798
The promotion of equality and diversity for the public benefit in particular but not exclusively by:
- Delivering an annual poetry competition and the publication of poetry collections which allow a wide demographic of people to express and understand the impacts of prejudice, racism and unconscious bias.
- Running online poetry workshops, conducting work with schools and other educational institutions and community outreach initiatives.
- Advancing education and raising awareness about the causes, effects and solutions to societal and individual prejudice, racism and unconscious bias.
Our Vision
A world where every voice is heard, understood, and valued through the transformative power of words. We envision a future where creative expression is accessible to all, bridging divides, promoting healing, and fostering a global culture of empathy and inclusion.
Core Values
Empowerment
We believe in empowering individuals to find and use their voice through the creative process. Our programmes are designed to provide the skills, confidence, and platforms necessary for self-expression, particularly for those who have been silenced or marginalised.
Inclusivity and Empathy
Inclusivity is central to our mission. We foster a space where individuals share their unique perspectives without judgment. We amplify historically excluded voices, creating opportunities for others to understand, relate to, and care about the struggles and triumphs of people different from themselves, building stronger, more empathetic communities.
Social Justice and Creativity
Creativity fuels personal growth and social change. We harness its power to inspire ideas, challenge prejudices, and foster dialogue. Through our programs and innovative problem-solving, we empower individuals to use creative expression as a form of activism, promoting equity and driving social change by challenging societal norms and addressing injustice.
Education and Resilience
Education is central to our mission. Through workshops and mentorship, we equip participants with the tools to harness the power of words, fostering a lifelong love of learning. We value resilience, believing individuals can overcome adversity, heal, and become stronger advocates for themselves and their communities through creative expression.