SETTLE Stories has launched what it believes to be the first and only digital way to learn the art of storytelling - and it says, it could just help people win that all-important pay rise.

It's online platform 'Storyversity' is aimed at helping all sorts of people - whatever their background or profession - learn how to tell stories, or help them write their own novel.

It also claims storytelling can help business people improve their boardroom skills, negotiate a pay rise, or learn how to perform in front of an audience.

The online subscription service so far includes nine master classes from a range of storytellers from across the world. Learners can sign up to courses such as ‘how to use gesture creatively’ ‘vocal training’ and ‘storytelling for radical citizenship’, with more classes being added all the time.

Sita Brand, the charity's chief executive and artistic director said: “The Financial Times reported recently that storytelling teaches you to craft a conversation in your favour – whether that’s to negotiate a pay rise, entertain your families or to make a wedding speech.

"I believe everyone can learn to master the art of storytelling which is why we created Storyversity, to support teachers, artists and business people to master the art to make a difference.”

Since the pandemic the charity has taken its flagship Yorkshire Festival of Story online - reaching three times as many people. It's schools programme alone, which was enjoyed by 6,000 children a year before coronavirus, reached over 85,000 in 2021.

Charles Tyrer, the charity's executive director, added: “Going digital has enabled us to maintain a relationship with our local audiences while extending our impact nationally, making our work free for all at a challenging time.”

The charity hopes that in the long term, the money it makes from Storyversity will help to subsidise its free programme of both live and digital events.

It has received investment from the Key Fund to build the site and also £20,000 from Garfield Weston for core costs. This it says will allow it to maintain its digital programme and begin running in person events for the community at the same time.

Charles added: “It’s been a very difficult time altering our business model from face to face storytelling to online, but we succeeded and this has enabled us to re-imagine the direction of Settle Stories. The grant from Garfield Weston has been vital to providing some certainty at a very challenging time."

Find out more at: www.storyversity.org.