Northumbrian Water has shown its support for the arts by partnering with Seven Stories, The National Centre for Children’s Books, in order to create a number of bespoke children’s tales.

In December last year, the water company reached out to the Newcastle-based cultural attraction to commission a number of different stories as part of a wellness campaign for key-working employees and their families.

Seven Stories then worked with children’s author Em Kittow, to create two short winter-themed audio-books, named “Hands Off Our Tree” and “Frank’s Star”. 

“Hands Off Our Tree” follows the tale of a mischievous dog, whereas “Frank’s Star” follows the anticipation of Christmas Day.   

The stories have been developed as a part of Northumbrian Water’s brand-new wellness initiative for staff in order to keep them feeling well.

November 2020 saw the launch of the company’s new internal wellbeing website, NWG Living Well, where employees can go to find a series of wellness resources and programmes. 

As well as this, the website also incorporates family-friendly resources for workers to use at home.

Elouise Leonard-Cross, Head of People Strategy and Experience at Northumbrian Water, said: “The power of storytelling is well known, and as part of our Living Well website we wanted to create our own audible-style library with short stories for our people.

“People are at the heart of what we do at Northumbrian Water, and so we wanted to create a place where our people can go to experience a sense of calm, or hygge, in order to keep them feeling well.

“I am incredibly thankful to Seven Stories, and of course the wonderful Em Kittow for providing us with a mindful and enjoyable resource that our people can use with their families.” 

Mairi Kidd, Chief Executive at Seven Stories added: “We are delighted to have partnered with Northumbrian Water on this wellness campaign.  

“At Seven Stories, we passionately believe that storytelling and stories are good for our mental health, and can build resilience in readers of every age; with the art of storytelling bringing such pleasure and joy to both the listener and the teller.  

“Since the first national lockdown, supporting families and children at home during these unprecedented times has been a key priority for Seven Stories and we are pleased that our award-winning work continues through this partnership, providing fun and engaging resources for Northumbrian Water employees and their families at a time when they are needed most.”

Northumbrian Water has also shown its support for the arts industry through celebrating National Storytelling Week across all of its social media platforms. 

Over the course of last week, it shared tales such as “the story of water” and “the story of poo” – as well as sharing the resources from Seven Stories. 

Seven Stories is a registered charity.  To support their ongoing award-winning work to support families during these challenging times, please visit - www.sevenstories.org.uk/support-us

About Seven Stories, The National Centre for Children’s Books

Seven Stories, The National Centre for Children’s Books, works with children’s books to create playful and profound experiences for children and young people, in order to fire their imagination and creativity, and deepen their understanding of themselves and the world.

Located in a converted Victorian warehouse in the Ouseburn Valley in Newcastle upon Tyne Seven Stories offers visitors seven floors of galleries, creative spaces, a specialist independent children’s bookshop and a café to explore.

Seven Stories has a superb collection of artwork, manuscripts and archives by British writers and illustrators for children, from the 1930s to the present day, including work by such figures as Enid Blyton, Judith Kerr, Nick Sharratt, Philip Pullman and David Almond. 

In 2020 Seven Stories, a registered charity, will be celebrating its 15th birthday in 2020 with a number of new and exciting exhibition and events. 

Seven Stories is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation and an Accredited Museum. 

Website: www.sevenstories.org.uk 

Twitter: @7stories

Facebook: Facebook.com/7stories

Instagram: @7stories