Personal Storytelling

for Veterans and First Responders

Find Your Voice. Own Your Story.

An innovative program for current and former veterans and first responders. Developed and delivered by the Australian Writers’ Centre, the country’s leading provider of writing courses.

Personal Storytelling for Veterans and First Responders is a powerful program designed for current and former veterans, first responders and their families.

It provides participants with lifelong skills in writing and communication, and encourages them to tell their stories. The program is designed to help participants articulate their experiences both during service and in the transition to civilian life. It empowers participants with skills on how to write clearly, tell engaging stories and communicate using valuable writing techniques.

This is one of the best things I have done in my life. This has been an amazing experience. I am grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to do this course. Thank you, thank you, thank you

Linda Bone
Program participant and former serving military

The aim of the course is to:

This course is ideal if you:

More about the program

Each module focuses on a different aspect of telling stories from your own life experiences. The modules in the course build on the ones that come before, giving you a strong foundation where you ultimately feel confident in telling your own stories and writing about your experiences.

The course aims to not only equip you with foundational skills in writing about your truth, but also the confidence to do so. Ultimately, the aim of the course is to empower you with self belief, and also an understanding of the power and benefits of self-expression.

I couldn’t fault the teaching or feedback we all received. Every module was well explained and guided.

Dean Field
Program participant and former serving military

Participants receive:

The modules will include:

Engaging course videos, including interviews with several veterans and first responders

There are two ways you can complete the program:

Enrol as an individual participant

When you enrol as an individual participant, you will:

Enrol a group of veterans and first responders

Here, it is likely that you:

How does the group program work?

The Australian Writers’ Centre partners with organisations who want to provide this program to members. Typically, there is a minimum of 50 participants undertaking the program concurrently.

The program includes course delivery, materials, personalised feedback on exercises/stories, access to learning platform, and access to a dedicated AWC team member for queries during the course.

“A heartfelt thank you. If you love writing but don’t know where to start or you are struggling to find the right place to start – you need to do this course. It changes everything.”

Eleanor Chappell
CEO of Buddy Up Australia

Why would I enrol a group?

Enrolling a group of people with shared experiences fosters a spirit of camaraderie and peer-support. Participants can benefit from a range of bonuses we provide. These include:

Writing exercises and personalised feedback from a writing mentor

A powerful part of the course is the actual practice of writing and sharing of stories. The online learning portal provides space where participants can share their stories and gain feedback from their buddies. They will be allocated to groups.

Individuals can participate in:

3 x Group ‘Ask Me Anything’ sessions on Zoom

This is ideal for those who want to connect with an Australian Writers’ Centre mentor face-to-face. They will be recorded for those unable to attend.

About Australian Writers’ Centre

The Australian Writers’ Centre is the country’s leading centre for writing programs. Founded in 2005, the Centre has spearheaded some of the most innovative writing programs in the world. It has helped more than 100,000 students in fields such as creative writing, copywriting, freelance writing, business writing and much more.

We are passionate about the benefits of the program Personal Storytelling for Veterans and First Responders. For many participants, it has been a transformative experience. Often, this has been described as “life-changing”. At minimum, participants will learn lifelong writing and communication skills they can apply to any professional and personal situations.

It is also a wonderful creative outlet where participants can explore new skills in a supportive environment. For others, we are sensitive to the fact that it will be a process of healing and catharsis. Our writing mentors believe in the power of words on a person’s life and work with compassion, competence and care.

I am going to get right onto starting a memoir… if it helps others great, but at the very least it will help me.

Cath Hopgood
Program participant and family member of current serving military

Organisations that have benefitted from our training include: