Bridport writing charity take trip to 10 Downing Street

Nick Goldsmith and Ed Swift from the Bridport organisation The Bank of Dreams and Nightmares, visited the famous address to run a workshop with primary school children from Milton Keynes, the Isle of Sheppey and Edgware, London.

Nick Goldsmith founded the charity in 2022 aiming to deliver free creative writing workshops to schools.

The charity was invited to the Prime Minister's house to meet Rishi Sunak's wife Akshata Murty and put on a workshop to children from selected primary schools.

Ashkata Murty alongside students and The Bank of Dreams and Nightmares (Image: Number 10)

Mr Goldsmith: "Creative writing is key to children solidifying their identity, finding their voice and making sense of their place in the world".

Following the day at number 10, the charity will produce a book to be presented to the Prime Minister’s wife, Akshata Murty, and hopefully her husband.

The PM's wife Ashkata Murty joined in with the workshop at Number 10 (Image: Number 10)

Mr Goldsmith said: "Part of the workshop involved writing tips which will be helpful for both the current, and every future Prime Minister.

 "So I’m hoping the valuable suggestions the children produce will become part of the handover for future PMs."

The Downing Street visit is part of the Lessons at Number 10 programme, launched in May by Ms Murty.

The programme welcomes children from schools around the country to have a look inside the Prime Minister's home and learn about its history.

Ashkata Murty with the Bank of Dreams and Nightmares' Ed Swift and Nick Goldsmith and Ed Swift (Image: Number 10)

The Bank of Dreams and Nightmares is the first charity to run a creative writing workshop, using popular elements from the workshops it runs throughout Dorset.

Mr Goldsmith spoke about the workshop the children took part in whilst at Number 10.

He said: "A key part of the morning was a call from our rather grumpy bank manager.

"He had got stuck in the vault and the children had to come up with an idea of how to rescue him.

"Which turned out to be that he needed to get a troll with explosive shoes.

"At the end of the session he called back and some of the children read him their tips for future PMs.

"One of my favourites was how to defend 10 Downing Street from giant dolphins leaping over the country."

Ed Swift, the Bank’s Creative Learning Manager said, "You’d never have thought that we were working in the middle of one of the most important workplaces in the country.

The children had fun at their special workshop (Image: Number 10)

"I think the staff at Number 10 enjoyed it too. In fact, one of them said that it was the most fun she’d ever had at work. A compliment indeed."

For more information visit: www.thebankofdreamsandnightmares.org