My Work : Stories that resonate

Welcome to 'My Work' at Story Portraits. These examples are anonymised composites / demonstration pieces created to show tone and approach. Each Story Portrait is born from a consent-led interview, crafted into a dignified, publishable story that captures real voice and emotional truth, helping charities and organisations connect, inform, and inspire. Explore how I turn lived experience into impactful communication.

The day I sat outside again

Setting: Rehabilitation & recovery
Summary: After a life-changing injury, a man describes the shock of the early days - and the first quiet moment he felt like himself again. A story about fear loosening, identity returning, and the power of calm spaces.

Excerpt:
“Outside, nothing ‘fixed’ anything - and yet something softened.
The air didn’t ask him to be optimistic.
The garden didn’t ask him to be brave.
It simply held him, as he was.”

Delivered: Full Story Portrait (1,000–1,200 words) + Mini Story (150–250 words) + Pull-out quotes

When the room finally exhaled

Setting: Family / carers
Summary: A partner describes how illness changes the entire atmosphere of family life - and how one supportive service created space for connection, normal conversation, and moments of laughter again. A story about the ripple effect of care.

Excerpt:
“On the ward we were always braced - as if something might happen at any moment.
In the quiet of support, we remembered how to speak like ourselves again.
Not fixing the facts… just changing the feeling.”

Delivered: Full Story Portrait + Mini Story + Quotes + Key themes (for impact reporting)

The world got wider again

Setting: Older people / loneliness & belonging
Summary: A woman describes how her life slowly became smaller after loss — then widened again through gentle support, community connection and being seen. A story about dignity, courage, and rediscovering the everyday.

Excerpt:
“I hadn’t realised how quiet my world had become
until someone spoke to me like I mattered.
Not as a problem to solve —
but as a person returning to life.”

Delivered: Full Story Portrait + Mini Story + Quotes (newsletter and social-ready)

The garden that didn’t ask me to be brave

Setting: Nature, wellbeing & nervous system calm
Summary: A story about stress, overwhelm and the return of steadiness through nature connection. A narrative that shows how peace can re-enter the body through small sensory moments — birdsong, wind, colour — and the simple permission to breathe.

Excerpt:
“The garden didn’t offer advice.
It didn’t demand gratitude.
It just kept growing —
and somehow, that changed everything.”

Delivered: Full Story Portrait + Short event-reading version + Quotes (for campaigns)

How story portraits help organisations achieve their goals

Story Portraits help charities and organisations by turning outcomes into something people can feel. Numbers matter — but stories create connection, understanding and action. When supporters understand the human reality behind your work, they’re far more likely to engage, give, volunteer, and advocate. I empower you to share your impact with warmth and credibility, helping your supporters truly feel the value of what you do.

Fundraising support

A well-crafted Story Portrait gives fundraisers what they need most: trust and emotional connection. These stories help supporters see the real difference their donation makes, which can increase:

  • donor engagement and retention
  • response to appeals
  • major donor confidence
  • event giving and community fundraising

Demonstrating impact

Impact data tells you what changed. Story Portraits show how it changed and why it matters. They bring your outcomes to life by illustrating:

  • the turning point moments
  • the ripple effect on families and staff
  • the lived experience behind the service
  • the real-world meaning of your impact

This is especially valuable for:

  • annual reports
  • grant reporting
  • partner updates
  • “why this matters” sections

Sharing your message (and making it memorable)

Story Portraits help communicate your purpose in a way that’s clear, human and shareable. They help you:

  • make your mission tangible
  • show your values in action
  • reduce stigma through understanding
  • build credibility through authenticity

Ready-to-use content (saves time)

As well as one strong central story, you receive mini versions, quotes and themes — so your team can quickly create:

  • website features
  • newsletters
  • social posts
  • supporter emails
  • event readings / campaign content

The story portraits difference: Authenticity and trust

What I most want potential clients to understand is that our Story Portraits are not “PR case studies” or polished marketing pieces - they are truthful, dignified human stories. I create them through deep listening and a calm, consent-led process that helps people feel safe and -respected. My writing preserves the person’s real voice and emotional truth - not just what happened, but what it meant, what changed, and what helped. I don’t sensationalise, simplify, or force positivity; I aim for honesty, warmth and quiet hope. The result is storytelling that audiences trust: authentic, emotionally accurate and gently uplifting - while still being clear, professional and ready to use across newsletters, websites, events and impact reporting.

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