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Gerry Durkin

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Contact: gerrythestoryteller@yahoo.co.uk
Local authority: South Lanarkshire
Languages: English, Scots
Gerry Durkin's headshot

Gerard Durkin's stories are for everyone. They tend to be comic tales from a mix of traditional, modern and self-written material. He also sings and plays guitar, with the songs and stories designed to encourage participation. Storytime at school was always his favourite part of the day.

He worked with South Lanarkshire Libraries for 15 years became a storyteller as part of his job, introducing school children to the library through storytelling sessions. These sessions became popular and local schools began to ask him to visit in his own time, which led to Gerard joining the national storytelling network.

He is now a full-time storyteller comfortable with adult groups, teenage groups and primary school children, as well as nursery and infant work and has worked with adults and teenagers with learning difficulties. Gerard has been storyteller in residence for Crookston Castle, storyteller in residence for the National Museums of Scotland and currently works with Read For Good, visiting children's hospitals telling stories and singing songs to the children and their carers.

(Works in Scots)

Local authorities can visit

Aberdeen City; Aberdeenshire; Angus; Argyll and Bute; Clackmannanshire; Dumfries and Galloway; Dundee; East Ayrshire; East Dunbartonshire; East Lothian; East Renfrewshire; Edinburgh City; Falkirk; Fife; Glasgow City; Highland; Inverclyde; Midlothian; Moray; Na h-Eileanan Siar (Western Isles); North Ayrshire; North Lanarkshire; Orkney Islands; Perth and Kinross; Renfrewshire; Scottish Borders; Shetland; South Ayrshire; South Lanarkshire; Stirling; West Dunbartonshire; West Lothian

Events can deliver

Performance; Reading; Residency; Talk; Workshop; Professional development, CLPL or CPD

Audience can work with

Adult learners; Care-experienced people; Carers; Intergenerational learning; Outdoor learning; Adults with additional support needs; People experiencing mental health problems; People living with dementia; Reluctant readers; Vulnerable young people (under 18); Vulnerable adults; Vulnerable older people; Young people in the community (e.g. Youth clubs, Guides, Scouts); Young people with additional support needs (under 18) (ASN/SEN)

Topics of work

Animals; Comedy, humour & funny books; Environment & climate; Fairy tales, folklore & mythology

Age groups published for

Children; Teens; Adults

Age groups can work with

0-2; 3-5; 6-8; 9-11; 12-14; 15-18; 18+

Audience size

0-10; 11-30; 31-100; 100-500; 500+