Gravesham Diaries
We’re inviting residents of Gravesham to take part in a creative storytelling contest that celebrates physical activity in the local area.
Your stories will help us understand what it feels like to move, exercise, and take part in activity locally. From gyms and fitness studios, to parks, walking trails, and even your own garage workout space.
And the twist?
You won’t tell the story from your perspective. You’ll tell it from the point of view of the equipment you use or the space you’re in.
Who can enter?
To take part, you must:
Live in the borough of Gravesham
Submit an original story from the perspective of an object or location involved in physical activity
All ages are welcome, including children and young people.
Entries will be broken down into age groups:
Early Years ( up-to 6 years old)
Children (7-12 years old)
Teens (13-17 years old)
Adults (18-64 years old)
Older Adults (65+ years)
Judging Criteria:
Stories will be considered based on:
Creativity and originality
Clear sense of place
How well the object’s voice is used
Insight into experiences of physical activity
Emotional depth or humour (all styles welcome)
This is not a grammar or spelling contest; content and creativity matter most!
Story Requirements:
Written story - this could be an essay, poem, short story, up-to 1000 words max, in any language
Video/performance arts; 3 to 5 minutes in length
Visual arts such as a painting, sculpture, drawing, etc. max 3 piece submission
Deadline to submit your work…
All entries must be submitted by 5pm on Wednesday 19 August
How to submit your work:
1. Post it to us: The Grand: Healthy Living Centre, 4-9 Wilfred Street, Gravesend, DA12 2HA
2. Drop it off at one of our community partners:
The Grand Healthy Living Centre, 4-9 Wilfred Street, Gravesend, DA12 2HA
St. Botolph’s Church, The Hill, Northfleet, DA11 9EU
Lawn Family Hub, Lawn Rd, Northfleet, Gravesend DA11 9HB
Riverside Family Hub, Dickens Rd, Gravesend DA12 2JY
St Aidan’s Church, St Aidan's Way, Gravesend DA12 4AG
The Hive Library, 10-11 Hive Ln, Northfleet, Gravesend DA11 9DE
3. email it to us:
graveshamdiarysubmission@gmail.com
Clearly label your work with:
Your full name
Address
Email address
Phone number
Age
Title of your work
Gravesham Diaries: Community Showcase Day
Wednesday 26 August 26th
11am - 3pm at The Hive, Northfleet
Activities on the day to enjoy…
Food and community stalls
Select activities (crafts/creative, games, sport)
Disco and music
Photobooth and story-capture station
Exhibition of submissions
Winner ceremony
Feedback booth
Ways to get started…
Choose a physical activity you will do locally – can be something you normally do or completely new!
A session at a local gym or fitness studio
A walk around your local area
A sports session at a community space
Exercise in your garage, garden, or living room
A playful activity with your children
A class, club, or community session
2. Pick an object or an environment/place involved with that activity. For example:
A football
A yoga mat
A pair of running shoes
A water bottle
A park
A walking/biking path
A fitness studio
A playground
Community/leisure centres
3. After you do the activity using the object, tell your story, imagining the object has thoughts, feelings, and its own version of events. Ask yourself:
What did it see?
What did it feel?
What challenges did it face?
Who did it interact with?
What did it notice about your day, your surroundings, or your community?
Who was there? Who was missing?
Potential Prompts to help with story ideas…
About the Object’s Day
Where did I go today?
Who carried me, kicked me, held me, or ignored me?
What did I notice about the places we visited?
About Physical Experience
How did it feel to be used? Was it smooth, awkward, exciting, tiring?
What movements or moments stood out?
About Barriers
Was there anything that made the journey difficult? A place, situation, or feeling?
About Joy or Connection
What moments made me feel useful, happy, connected, or part of something bigger?
About Northfleet
What did I see or sense about life, community, or activity here?
This project is part of our partnership work with Active Kent and Medway and funded by Sport England