LIESL HAMMER'S CV
Also see my LinkedIn profile
Personal Statement & ambition
I want to become a professional creative writer. For years I have been consumed with the ambition to write and I have already published poetry and newspaper articles. I always work hard to impress.
I am a young woman who is physically - but not mentally - disabled and in a wheelchair due to cerebral palsy. Despite, and perhaps because of this, I have a “can do” attitude rooted in my upbringing. I am bilingual and have dual English/German nationality and excellent communication skills. I have travelled around the world extensively including to Africa, Asia and Europe. All this has helped me to develop my creativity and enriched my understanding of our world’s natural and cultural diversity. I am a self-motivated woman of action who can rise to challenges.
My interests and hobbies include reading, writing, art and music, as well as horse riding, skiing, dancing, cycling, boxing and the great outdoors.
Historically, disability has been considered a taboo subject in the media and writing in general; my main motivation for studying English Literature and Creative Writing in unison is to break down these barriers through writing. I am passionate about spreading awareness of difference and encouraging people to understand disability and how everyone should be treated equally.
I am a young woman who is physically - but not mentally - disabled and in a wheelchair due to cerebral palsy. Despite, and perhaps because of this, I have a “can do” attitude rooted in my upbringing. I am bilingual and have dual English/German nationality and excellent communication skills. I have travelled around the world extensively including to Africa, Asia and Europe. All this has helped me to develop my creativity and enriched my understanding of our world’s natural and cultural diversity. I am a self-motivated woman of action who can rise to challenges.
My interests and hobbies include reading, writing, art and music, as well as horse riding, skiing, dancing, cycling, boxing and the great outdoors.
Historically, disability has been considered a taboo subject in the media and writing in general; my main motivation for studying English Literature and Creative Writing in unison is to break down these barriers through writing. I am passionate about spreading awareness of difference and encouraging people to understand disability and how everyone should be treated equally.
Work experience
2015
Wildlife conservation stand at the Norwich Science Festival. Tasks: Instructed stand visitors on how to make and use an ethical animal trap to put in their garden. Skills acquired: Confidence in public speaking and instructing people of all ages.
2016
Worked in the media team of the Festival of Literature for Young People (FLY) at the University of East Anglia (UEA). Tasks: Interviewing writers, writing up and publishing the interviews on the official website. Skills acquired: Insights into the minds of writers; recording equipment (camera, sound).
2017
Youngest of the “Young Ambassadors” at the National Centre for Writing in Norwich. Tasks: Project work. I set up a Cerebral Palsy Awareness Week at my school and for this had to give a presentation including public speaking in front of the whole school. Skills acquired: Writing and teamwork skills, confidence in public speaking and presenting.
For this I received my Bronze Arts Award. I was also asked by my school to repeat this event annually, even when I had left school.
2017
Work experience at Archant Publishers in Norwich as a trainee journalist. Tasks: Conduct interviews, write newspaper articles and work on their publication. Skills acquired: Newspaper article writing and connecting to readers, navigating a corporate environment, insights into the life of a journalist.
At the end of the work experience, I was praised for my writing skills and work ethic, and invited to write an irregular column for the EDP (Eastern Daily Press) newspaper in Norwich on issues of disability.
2018
Mental Health First Aider course. Skills acquired: Ability to empathise with and support people with mental health issues and refer them onto professional help where needed.
Late 2018-2020
I concentrated on my A-levels, which were cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic.
2019 to present
Mentor for children with cerebral palsy at Wymondham College and at the Norwich & Norfolk University Hospitals. Tasks: Support children with cerebral palsy and help them overcome their frustrations and mental health issues. Skills acquired: Communication, empathy, motivational speaking.
Wildlife conservation stand at the Norwich Science Festival. Tasks: Instructed stand visitors on how to make and use an ethical animal trap to put in their garden. Skills acquired: Confidence in public speaking and instructing people of all ages.
2016
Worked in the media team of the Festival of Literature for Young People (FLY) at the University of East Anglia (UEA). Tasks: Interviewing writers, writing up and publishing the interviews on the official website. Skills acquired: Insights into the minds of writers; recording equipment (camera, sound).
2017
Youngest of the “Young Ambassadors” at the National Centre for Writing in Norwich. Tasks: Project work. I set up a Cerebral Palsy Awareness Week at my school and for this had to give a presentation including public speaking in front of the whole school. Skills acquired: Writing and teamwork skills, confidence in public speaking and presenting.
For this I received my Bronze Arts Award. I was also asked by my school to repeat this event annually, even when I had left school.
2017
Work experience at Archant Publishers in Norwich as a trainee journalist. Tasks: Conduct interviews, write newspaper articles and work on their publication. Skills acquired: Newspaper article writing and connecting to readers, navigating a corporate environment, insights into the life of a journalist.
At the end of the work experience, I was praised for my writing skills and work ethic, and invited to write an irregular column for the EDP (Eastern Daily Press) newspaper in Norwich on issues of disability.
2018
Mental Health First Aider course. Skills acquired: Ability to empathise with and support people with mental health issues and refer them onto professional help where needed.
Late 2018-2020
I concentrated on my A-levels, which were cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic.
2019 to present
Mentor for children with cerebral palsy at Wymondham College and at the Norwich & Norfolk University Hospitals. Tasks: Support children with cerebral palsy and help them overcome their frustrations and mental health issues. Skills acquired: Communication, empathy, motivational speaking.
Awards, accolades, qualifications, appointments
2011
Runner-up (with a poetry entry) in young writing competition of the EDP (Eastern Daily Press) newspaper
2013
Community Award at Wymondham College for outstanding personal integrity and enriching the school community
2015
Outstanding Student Award at Wymondham College for academic achievement
Adult Mental Health First Aider & Grade 2 Food and Hygiene certificate
2016
Community Award at Wymondham College for outstanding personal integrity and enriching the school community
Language Leader for German at Wymondham College
Bronze Arts Award
2017
Principal’s Award at Wymondham College for positivity, an asset to school life and an inspiration to fellow pupils
Appointed freelance writer at the EDP newspaper
2018-2020
Member of the School Council at Wymondham College
Runner-up (with a poetry entry) in young writing competition of the EDP (Eastern Daily Press) newspaper
2013
Community Award at Wymondham College for outstanding personal integrity and enriching the school community
2015
Outstanding Student Award at Wymondham College for academic achievement
Adult Mental Health First Aider & Grade 2 Food and Hygiene certificate
2016
Community Award at Wymondham College for outstanding personal integrity and enriching the school community
Language Leader for German at Wymondham College
Bronze Arts Award
2017
Principal’s Award at Wymondham College for positivity, an asset to school life and an inspiration to fellow pupils
Appointed freelance writer at the EDP newspaper
2018-2020
Member of the School Council at Wymondham College
EDUCATION & GRADES
Pre-2007
Montessori Kindergarten in Würzburg, Germany
2007-2012
Colman School, Norwich
2012-2020
Wymondham College, Norfolk
GCSEs: English Literature 6, English Language 5, Mathematics 6, Double Science: 6, Geography 6, History 5, German 9, Fine Art 5, Religious Education 6
A-levels (coronavirus year): English Literature C, Fine Art B, German A*
Montessori Kindergarten in Würzburg, Germany
2007-2012
Colman School, Norwich
2012-2020
Wymondham College, Norfolk
GCSEs: English Literature 6, English Language 5, Mathematics 6, Double Science: 6, Geography 6, History 5, German 9, Fine Art 5, Religious Education 6
A-levels (coronavirus year): English Literature C, Fine Art B, German A*
PROFESSIONAL & CREATIVE WRITING