By Pauline Stewart | Illustration by Katie Stewart
I wish to take this opportunity to say how much confidence working for the I Love North Shields Magazine has given me psychologically and socially. I retired this year after working a as a Mental Health Staff Nurse for 40 years. I wanted to volunteer and was lucky to be directed to Simmie Harper ( Founder and Editor of ILNS Magazine ).
Simmie told me about her Vision for the Magazine and I was absolutely delighted to be asked if I could contribute in any way. I already volunteer for Lovaine Community Garden in North Shields, so I started with writing a small piece about the Garden. Thankfully Simmie approved the article. More important to me was that Simmie took the time to show me how I could further enhance my writing skills and vocabulary, encouraging me to also take photos and add them to my story. This was the greatest confidence boost for me as I excitedly told my family and friends that I may have a published article in a new local magazine !
The ILNS Creatives Team continues to increase my Community involvement and subsequently that of Lovaine community Garden, as I continue to encourage people ( volunteers/ visitors from Garden) to become actively involved in the Magazine and its growing outreach/ expanding network. Promoting individuals to cascade skills/ learn skills/ share experiences.
Our daughter ( An Artist ) is now also volunteering for the ILNS network since she’s seen how proud I am to be contributing.
My family and friends, and friends of friends are keen to become involved as
they repeatedly witness the positive glow and human kindness that bonding and helping others become actively involved has manifested
The true beauty of the ILNS Magazine for me and others involve is the caring and sharing ethos it encourages. We have such a talented diverse creative team who are enthusiastically sharing their skill set and consistently learning new skill themselves. For example I am learning How to use Instagram ! Believe me when you’re going through Menopause its harder to consolidate your learning ! Thanks again to the ILNS Creative Team as I’m getting plenty practice
That’s not to mention some famous Street Artists and Musicians we have met !!
It continues to be a most empowering and exciting journey which I am immensely proud and grateful to be part of !
Last but most certainly not least, as a more mature woman I am particularly grateful for printed copies of the ILNS Magazine which I can take to bed and highlight to my heart’s content ! And I’m not the only one ! The older members of our Community have found such inclusion and purpose in being part of our Creatives team as we encourage them to relate their stories their memories and their special moments whilst growing up in North Shields. I was fortunate enough to be able to interview the Town Criers wife and I’m proud to say I know that article has been lovingly placed in her sadly deceased’s husbands scrap book to be handed down to another generation. It is wonderful engaging with the more elderly residents of North Shields and helping them feel listened to and part of the community again by recording their narratives. I love the varied age-range of the people involved in this magazine,it includes people who are retired like myself, full-time workers in a myriad of vocations and careers, independent businesses, parents and young people all of whom have so much to offer/ contribute
ILNS Magazine truly is the Gift that keeps om giving !
Come see us ! Join us ! Feel the LOVE !!
