Let your creativity flow.
Ink and Soul
Where stories grow, voices rise
and words bring us together.
Ink and Soul, run by Louisa Ashton, is a new Community Interest Company with a clear and heartfelt mission: to spark creativity, uplift voices, and build community through the written word.
I am looking to start Ink and Soul's journey with young people in hospitals and communities across the North West by offering free access to storytelling, writing and book-making experiences that nurture wellbeing and self-expression.
At the heart of this work is a belief that all young people deserve the chance to create, connect and be heard.
Young Authors Programme
In hospitals across the North West
With The Young Authors’ Programme, I hope to support young people receiving long-term hospital care through a series of one-to-one creative writing sessions. Over a series of regular visits, each child would be gently guided to write and shape their own original short story. If this story is completed and the young person would like to take part, Ink and Soul would then work with a professional illustrator to professionally publish their story as an illustrated hardback book - a proud keepsake for them and their families.
Alongside this, Ink and Soul would like to offer lighter-touch one-off sessions where I visit patients across all wards, either reading with flair and creativity from well known and loved books, or sharing improvised, interactive stories shaped by the young people’s own ideas. These playful storytelling moments bring a spark of creativity and joy into the day, no matter how brief the stay.
The Book Nook
A Travelling Library and Creative Sanctuary
Stories that travel. Voices that matter.
A shared space for words, wonder, and connection.
The second strand of the project is centred around a transformed old horse trailer that will be lovingly refurbished into a welcoming travelling library and creative space. Accompanied by a marquee with book shelves and seating, The Book Nook aims to become an accessible creative sanctuary, bringing books, storytelling and traditional paper crafts directly to festivals, community events, high streets, public gardens and carparks.
This pop-up area will offer: free reading for all ages; a calm space to write with free pens and paper; free storytelling sessions where families can help co-create original stories; and workshops such as paper craft and traditional bookbinding.
Ink and Soul exists to make reading, writing, and creative storytelling radically accessible to all young people.
Founded by a dyslexic professional writer with firsthand experience of the barriers built into traditional education and creative industries, Ink and Soul was born from the belief that everyone has a story worth telling—and the right to be heard.
We value:
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Creative confidence over perfection – it's not about spelling or grammar, but about imagination and voice.
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Accessibility and inclusion – whether you're in a hospital bed or at a local event, we bring stories to where you are.
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Community and connection – storytelling is a communal act; we build it together, across generations and experiences.
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Joyful traditional crafts – books, paper, ink and words are tools for both healing and play.
Community Impact
Ink and Soul is newly established, but our goals are clear and measurable.
Over the next year, we aim to:
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Work with at least 60 young patients in hospitals.
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Publish 3+ illustrated story collections, free to young authors and their families.
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Visit a minimum of 5 community events with our mobile library, but we are aiming for more.
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Offer 80+ hours of free access to reading, writing, storytelling, and paper craft activities.
These activities are designed not only to entertain, but to reduce isolation, create new opportunities for self-expression and build emotional resilience through the power of creativity.
Why your support matters
Ink and Soul is a new Community Interest Company with no corporate backing - just one person with a big idea, a donated horse trailer and the drive to make something truly meaningful.
With your support, we can bring the project to life by converting that trailer into a travelling library and creative studio, fully equipped to offer free activities at community events and support young people through one-to-one story coaching in hospitals. Funding will also help cover the wages of those delivering specialist workshops - ensuring that all our services remain freely accessible to those who need them most.
This isn’t about short-term programming; it’s about laying the foundation for a long-lasting, grassroots organisation that grows with and for its community.
As a grassroots organisation, every bit of support makes a lasting difference.
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Make a donation – Financial contributions help us convert our donated trailer into a fully equipped mobile library, pay fair wages to our creative facilitators, and keep all our sessions free.
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Sponsor a story – Fund the writing and publication of a child’s book, covering materials, mentoring time, and illustration.
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Give in kind – We welcome donations of new or gently used books, creative materials (notebooks, pens, art supplies), beanbags or portable seating, and tools for mobile workshops.
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Partner with us – If you're part of a hospital, school, library, festival or community group and would like to host the travelling library or collaborate on storytelling activities, we’d love to hear from you.
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Help us spread the word – Follow us, share our story, and champion inclusive creativity in your circles.
Together, we can turn a single trailer and a big-hearted idea into something vibrant, mobile, and full of stories waiting to be told.
Meet the Founder
Ink and Soul was founded by Louisa Ashton, a professional writer, performer, and creative facilitator with over 20 years' experience working with people of all ages in storytelling, puppetry, and performance.
Louisa’s writing has been shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction Discoveries Award (2023), leading to representation by literary agents AM Heath and she is now working on her debut novel. She spent a decade co-running Sparkle and Dark Theatre Company, touring acclaimed plays across the UK. She’s led bespoke creative workshops in both the UK and Italy, empowering everyone from toddlers to older adults to find joy in theatre making and storytelling.
Since 2019, Louisa has also worked as a Giggle Doctor with Theodora Children’s Charity, offering therapeutic play and emotional support to young hospital patients.
As someone who is dyslexic and has often felt to be on the outside of traditional educational systems, Louisa is passionate about making reading and writing truly accessible. Ink and Soul is the culmination of her creative path and personal journey - built to amplify unheard voices and create joyful spaces where everyone belongs.
Advisory Board Members
Trina Haldar
Advisory Board NED
Trina is the Founder and Artistic Director of national touring company Mashi Theatre and former Associate Director: Festival and Programming at The Spark Arts for Children in Leicester. As a Freelancer she works as a Director, Facilitator, Consultant in Diversity, Equality & Inclusion
Catherine Bearne
Advisory Board NED
Catherine worked as librarian for 30 years in London. In her retirement, she continues to be an avid reader and passionate supporter of the arts, whilst spending every waking hour volunteering for a vast array of local causes.
Kayleigh Hawkins
Advisory Board NED
Kayleigh is a mother, theatre director, facilitator and producer living in West Yorkshire. She co-founded the Shakespeare partnership between Hope Mill Theatre & Girl Gang and she works extensively with young people & vulnerable groups, facilitating for Royal Exchange, Barbican, HOME and more.
Ink and Soul recognises the need to remain operating in the best interest of the community at all times, and so a team of highly skilled and experienced individuals were invited to form a small but mighty advisory board of Non-executive Directors (NED). Each were chosen for offering different yet specialised perspectives that will allow Ink and Soul to grow and strengthen whilst remaining true to its values and vission.
Get in Touch
If you feel you can help Ink and Soul or simply want to know about the company, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Haslingden, Lancashire