Self-Belief & Sidekicks

In this episode of StoryQuest Voices, we join broadcaster Peg Alexander live on BCB Radio to explore The Adventures of Bradford, a transformative storytelling project empowering children to become authors of their own worlds. Creator Kate Markham and Dixon's Manningham Primary teacher Tom Hurst share how it all began with a simple question to Kate's son Gabriel Khan: “Do you want to be the hero of your own story?” What followed was a journey of storytelling, creativity, and emotional growth. Kate and Tom discuss the impact of storytelling on children's emotional intelligence, self-belief, and writing confidence, particularly among boys and SEND pupils. Blending neuroscience with imagination, the project turns classrooms into creative sanctuaries where grammar flows naturally, friendships deepen, and young voices shine. It’s a powerful conversation about literature, legacy, and the generational magic of telling your own story, right from the heart of Bradford.