Community Builds Digital Storytelling Skills to Share Local Voices

Local professionals from the Gladstone Region Human Services Sector came together for an immersive Digital Storytelling training workshop designed to strengthen sector capacity and support our community’s aspiration to share stories that inspire social change and amplify local voices.

The Stories for Impact Digital Storytelling four-part training workshop equipped participants with practical skills to find, make, edit and share authentic stories using everyday technology. Participants learned to film with smartphones, work with natural light and sound, and crafted narratives that placed community at the heart of the story.

Hands-on activities supported participants to build confidence in sharing real stories of resilience, collaboration and innovation. Feedback highlighted the value of this practical approach.

One participant said, “It exceeded my expectations.” Another shared, “I walked away knowing I can do this. The skills and techniques I learnt have given me the confidence to share stories of our community through digital media.” Others described the practical activities as “easy to follow and hands-on.”

Participants also reflected on gaining “knowledge on filming techniques” and “the ability to film and edit a video on a smartphone.” One participant said, “I’m taking away practical tools to capture and share real-time stories that promote community wellbeing.”

Facilitator Tash from Digital Storytellers reflected on the importance of this work,

“We are passionate about teaching communities to tell their own stories because they can do so with the care and sensitivity that only those directly connected to the stories can. It’s also so important to highlight all the great work being done in community and share those stories with audiences.”

This training supported participants to build confidence and strengthening capability across the local service sector to share stories that matter – stories that celebrate strengths, foster connection, and inspire change. Some of the stories created through this training will be showcased at Together in Action - a celebration of our community’s collaborative spirit and innovative efforts, in February 2026.

A community partnership with Rio Tinto, Here for Gladstone enabled this training through the Sector Capacity Building Initiative. Practitioners from the Human Service Sector identified priority collective training needs to improve outcomes for children and families in the Gladstone Region.

To learn more about upcoming Sector Capacity Building training opportunities, visit the Together in Learning page on the GRT website: Sector Capacity Building Initiative | GRT.