Our Rural Writes, Where Rural Seniors found Community Through Storytelling

“These are stories that age like good whiskey—richer, truer and unforgettable,” Our Rural Writes.

Douglas Arthur Brown, author and publisher at Boularderie Island Press, has edited several memoirs by senior writers and felt inspired by their stories. After learning about the incredible lives they lived, he began planning a series of writing workshops for seniors – mostly people who had never written anything before – so they could share their memories and experiences. 

This is how the Our Rural Writes writing group was created.  A ten-session writing workshop, it spanned six months and paired seniors living rurally with professional senior writers in Cape Breton. The workshop would result in a published book that shared participants’ past experiences and advice for their families.

When first exploring the idea, Douglas knew that many seniors rely on limited, fixed incomes, and he also had to source and rent a facility that was accessible. He would need to secure additional funds to bring this workshop to life.

“My goal was to be able to offer the workshops for free, I wanted to cover the costs of guest speakers, mentors and host the workshop in a building for folks with mobility issues,” said Brown.

So, in January 2025, he applied to CUA’s Community Investment Grant Program, in hopes he could secure funds to be able to offer the workshop at no cost.

“I was struck by how flexible the requirements were,” said Brown. “CUA’s Community Investment Grant Program allowed me to work with a much broader framework, and I was able to articulate the goals for the project.”

Brown wanted to facilitate a space for seniors to connect and create community. His workshop hosted 17 participants with varying backgrounds including retired teachers, nurses, a doctor, a politician and a former RCMP officer. They shared stories verbally first, before being paired with writers that supported them in transcribing their ideas and finally sharing with one another and providing feedback on each other’s work.

“It was unique hearing their different experiences; often seniors are discouraged from sharing,” reflected Brown. “Participants started showing up earlier and earlier for the workshops to spend more time together. One woman led us through a Mi’kmaw smudging ceremony; we were all touched she shared that with us.”

At the end of 2025, Our Rural Writes was published. Each participant’s stories were divided into three sections: Remembrances, Here and Now and Words for Those Who Follow. In the Remembrances section they shared their lived experience and what their life was like growing up.  Here and Now was written to share current challenges and changes, such as losing parents or a spouse, or making observations on the world.  Finally, the authors offered advice to younger generations in Words for Those Who Follow. 

“The most important message that came from this group of seniors was to be kind to others, and more importantly, be kind to yourself,” shared Brown. “Respect yourself. You can’t carry things around forever.”

Despite coming from different backgrounds and having diverse life experiences, participants felt united in the advice they wanted to give to readers.

Find what feeds your soul. Take time to be still and let silence surround you. Clear your head and heart. Refill that half-empty cup. Nourish your inner self. If you are kind to yourself, it is easier to be kind to others. If we treat others as we wish others to treat us, just think of the world that could exist. – Our Rural Writes, page 101.

Originally, the group had planned to publish just enough copies of the book for each participant to receive a few, with a few extra to provide to community centres nearby.  However, they are currently planning another print run for the book. 

“Less than a month after the initial publication, we realized we needed an additional printing of the book in early 2026,” said Brown. “A participant described how when they brought the book to visit a friend at a senior home, that friend had shared with other residents that the book was going to be read to them. They filled the room with people to hear the stories.”

When the book launched in November 2025, CBC Radio attended and covered the stories over a six-part series about the participants in the workshop and their writing journeys.

Douglas Arthur Brown is so grateful to have had the opportunity to share the seniors’ stories. The most significant impact of this project was igniting participants’ love for storytelling and offering them community and new friendships.

“The program created this incredible space for trust and connection, they started bringing each other baked goods and many have made plans to continue to meet,” said Brown. 

CUA’s Community Investment Grant Program has recently opened for 2026 applications, which will be accepted until January 30, 2026. If you think your initiative, project or program has a meaningful impact or strengthens Nova Scotia’s economy, visit cua.com/grants for more information about the program and instructions on how to apply.