Storyopolis is a children’s literacy project with a difference. Based in Volcano Theatre, Swansea High Street, we are a vibrant, city centre based initiative.
Storyopolis offers an innovative framework for schools and families from areas of socioeconomic and cultural deprivation to engage with high quality activities that build the confidence, communication skills and creativity of children and young people, empowering them to make their voices heard in the world.

We believe that literacy is crucial for young people to understand the world and their place in it.
We believe that it engenders confidence and self-respect, and by learning new skills helps young people to achieve potential and change lives.
Our workshops are always free.

Storyopolis was conceived in 2015 as a local response to the London-centred Ministry of Stories concept: an attempt to help young people to write brighter futures for themselves through the power of their ideas and imagination. Initially operating under the umbrella of the From The Station To The Sea project – a reimagining of Swansea’s High Street – early workshops included writing and making a book in a day. Over the years, the project has expanded in its scope and vision, partnering with schools, the local community and wider public, delivering workshops of a diverse nature.

Tim founded Storyopolis in 2015 after a conversation with a friend which resulted in an inspirational visit to the Ministry Of Stories, Hackney, London. Always a believer in the transformational power of writing, words and stories, the development of the project has been an exciting journey.

Tim’s background is largely in books and music. He’s worked in the new and antiquarian book trade (Lexicon Books, Dylan’s Bookstore), libraries, and currently owns Swansea’s only independent bookshop: Cover To Cover.

Tim has also worked in the music industry, as a performer (Liberty 37), a band manager (Prosperina) and a music journalist (Classic Rock magazine).

Roz is a creative producer and artist with extensive experience in the creative industries, both public and private sectors. Roz trained and worked as a fashion designer & stylist in London and Bristol. With an MA in Design for Interactive Media, she has worked in creative production, producing digital applications & content for the BBC, TES, Ogilvy, DirectGov, NHS, Arts Council Wales & England and The British Council.

Her health has shaped her life and creative work; she has a rare brain condition which results in neurodiversity and chronic migraines. On the physical side Roz has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) which impacts mobility, but not her creativity…

Roz is also Vice Chair and Artist in Residence at Gwendraeth Arts Lab community art group, and currently Creative Producer on the What Makes a Home project at Volcano Theatre. Roz has been Creative Producer at Storyopolis since February 2019.

Elissa V Evans joined us in 2022 and now runs our brilliant Storyopolis Saturday Club.

A multidisciplinary artist, Elissa has kept sketchbooks and diaries since she was very young. Arts and music have been a constant all her life. Having studied Foundation Art & Design here in Swansea, Elissa graduated in a Fine Art BA at De Montfort University, Lincoln, specialising in printmaking & self-portraiture.

Other areas Elissa has worked in include bookselling, jazz singing, TV & film, illustration, and as a playworker. Elissa has also worked in project management and administration for non-profit organisations including Powell Dobson Architects, Swansea Print Workshop, and the Glynn Vivian Gallery. Elissa hopes to train as a creative therapist in the near future.

Elissa loves storytelling, books, music and art, and has over 30 years’ experience of delivering creative workshops.

Honorary Patrons

Owen Sheers

Professor Owen Sheers is an award-winning poet, author and playwright. He is the author of two poetry collections, two novels, three verse-dramas and multiple works for TV, film and theatre. His 2016 film-poem The Green Hollow, about the Aberfan disaster was BAFTA and Grierson nominated and won three BAFTA Cymru awards including Best Writer. Twice winner of Wales Book of the Year he was the recipient of the 2016 St David Award for culture and the 2018 Wilfred Owen Poetry award. His first book for children, Drew, Moo, and Bunny Too was published in 2023. He is a Professor in Creativity and English Language at Swansea University.

Caryl Lewis

Caryl Lewis is a multi-award-winning Welsh novelist, children’s writer, playwright and screenwriter. Her breakthrough novel Martha, Jac a Sianco (2004) is widely regarded as a modern classic of Welsh literature and sits on the Welsh curriculum. The film adaptation – with a screenplay by Lewis herself – went on to win six Welsh BAFTAS and the Spirit of the Festival Award at the 2010 Celtic Media Festival. Lewis’s other screenwriting work includes BBC/S4C thrillers Hinterland and Hidden. Her recent children’s books include Seed and The Magician’s Daughter. Lewis is a visiting lecturer in Creative Writing at Cardiff University, and lives with her family on a farm near Aberystwyth.