A former journalist is working with people across the world to record their life stories.  Through her memoir writing service, All Your Own Words, Kate Hurry captures the adventures that have shaped a person’s life for future generations to enjoy.

Kate conducts in-depth interviews with people to create beautifully-written books illustrated with personal photographs and other memorabilia.

“Writing your life story – or part of it – is something many people consider but never find the time. But it could be a welcome project for many people during the coronavirus lockdown,” Kate said.

“Your life story could also be a wonderful gift for your children or grandchildren. So many of us regret not finding out more about our parents and grandparents, and often realise too late that our opportunity has gone. This happened with my own father. It’s too late now to ask him all the things I wish I had, and it saddens me that my children will never really know much about him.”

As well as creating a lasting legacy, writing a memoir can have significant benefits for health and wellbeing.

“It can be enormously valuable for people to be able to look back and reflect on their lives,” said Kate, who also volunteers with Age UK. “I have seen people come alive as they reminisce about their experiences and relationships.

“At the moment especially, many people are feeling isolated and lonely due to the astonishing impact of the pandemic. I would encourage anyone who has thought about chronicling their life story to consider putting pen to paper. Everyone has a story to tell, and each is as interesting as it is different.”

Kate normally conducts interviews face-to-face, but is able to work with people on the phone and through other technologies to ensure social distancing guidelines are met.

“I have been working with someone in Melbourne via Skype,” said Kate. “It’s been wonderful to hear her stories of growing up in Australia and to reflect on how much things have changed. Her story is being recorded for her daughters, who are astonished at how different their mother’s childhood was to their own.”

Pauline Brockett, 84, from Melbourne [pictured talking to Kate on Skype], said: “It is both exciting and challenging waking up your mind to go down memory lane. My daughters have no idea how many changes there have been during my lifetime. Making this record for them will give them an insight into how different things are, and I am sure they will enjoy reading all of my stories, many of which I haven’t shared before.”

For more information about memoir writing service All Your Own Words and how Kate can help you tell your story get in touch.