Lucy Barrett

Being encouraged to explore, experiment and be playful is one of the things I love about studying at Edge Hill. When I was young, I used to have a toy typewriter. I played with it all the time, writing little stories and scripts for my toys. When it broke through overuse, I didn’t think I’d ever use a manual typewriter again, but I discovered one in the Creative Writing department, and used it to create some brilliant visual poetry.

I had so many amazing opportunities to develop and grow, as a student, as a writer and as a person. I did an internship with Edge Hill University Press, working with Arc Publications. Work experience in publishing is hard to come by so this was a rare opportunity to see how the industry works and make contacts for the future. I also read some of my work alongside writers Tessa Hadley and Ilya Kaminsky at an event at the Arts Centre. I didn’t think I’d ever meet them let alone share a stage with them.

I’ve got so much confidence now, I’m like a different person. I was so timid when I first came to Edge Hill, I didn’t even want to show anyone what I’d written because I was scared of being rejected.

The opportunity that I’m most grateful for was the chance to work as a Campus Connector. I know what it’s like to feel homesick. My role was to talk to students in Halls, help them settle in and encourage them to get involved in activities or events on campus. Sometimes, just connecting with other people can make a big difference.