The Rock Retreat
Supporting emerging writers
Gibraltar’s ‘Rock Retreat’ is a week of creative workshops and cultural exchanges led by children’s publishing experts from 9 countries around the world.
Kusuma Trust supported the event, which took place in May 2023, by funding the schools’ outreach programme. A total of 30 writers and illustrators led workshops at 4 schools in Gibraltar, giving students insight into storytelling techniques including how characters are created.
- 30 writers and illustrators attended the first Rock Retreat in Gibraltar in May 2022.
- Participants came from across the globe – Barbados to Germany, Scotland to
- Around 500 pupils – aged 6 to 16 – benefited from the Rock Retreat schools’ programme.
A new generation of stories
As well as inspiring local students, The Rock Retreat schools’ programme gave visiting authors and artists the opportunity to meet their audience, hear their opinions and generate new story ideas for children.
A book of the work created during The Rock Retreat is available at Gibraltar’s Garrison Library.
“The grant from the Kusuma Trust Gibraltar has made it possible for The Rock Retreat to create and implement a wide-ranging schools programme. It gave young people the opportunity to meet and hear from authors and illustrators talking about their work, as well as time to be creative writing and illustrating with the guidance and support of visiting publishing authors and illustrators and editors. With the support of the grant The Rock Retreat is creating a legacy project that will enrich and enhance the lives of young people and result in their work being published alongside the adult participants.”
More Success Stories
Access to Opportunity
Geography: Gibraltar | Year: 2022
Gibraltar Digital Skills Academy
More people will be getting the skills they need to join Gibraltar’s flourishing technology sector, thanks to the Digital Skills Academy.
Access to Opportunity
Geography: Gibraltar | Year: 2022,2023
The Nautilus Project
Secondary school students are getting the opportunity to learn about marine life in Gibraltar, using the latest lab equipment.
Access to Opportunity
Geography: India | Year: 2013,2014,2015,2016
Kusuma Excellence Awards
Teachers have the capacity to change lives. The Kusuma Excellence Awards were designed to recognise the difference teachers make to their schools and students.