I manage the Edge of the Universe Printing Press. We're a social enterprise that runs writing, printing, and publishing workshops. Our aim is to enable creativity, teach key skills, and give people a platform to share their voices and experiences.

I've been running the Printing Press for a couple of years, and it's been amazing: I've learned new skills, met loads of inspiring people, and travelled to some incredible places! I love making new friends, trying new experiences, and anything creative. I also drink too much tea and coffee.

I live in Sheffield, England, but am currently travelling round North America for three months.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I've taken part in Erasmus+ training programmes, which took me to residentials in Romania and Ireland where I learned from and alongside other young people from all across Europe. Doing this was a life-changing experience, which made me excited to meet and learn from more people from other countries and cultures!

I'm currently travelling around the USA in order to visit people and places that are similar to the Edge of the Universe Printing Press: organisations that are creative and inspiring, and that have strong social goals (more on that at edgeofamerica.tumblr.com). As I travel around the States, I'd like to get to know the places I'm staying in better through using CS, and to share my hosts' passion for where they live!

Interests

Writing, reading, print-making, publishing... Generally any kind of making / creativity at all, really!

DIY culture and DIY spaces. Education. Cycling, running, hiking, cooking (I'm vegetarian), baking, listening / dancing to music (plus singing along, playing the odd bits of guitar / piano, and occasionally DJing), movies, Adventure Time, coffee / tea, real ale / whisky, and, most importantly, hanging with pals, both new and old!

• culture
• writing
• singing
• diy
• dancing
• education
• cooking
• coffee
• baking
• vegetarian
• running
• drinking
• movies
• reading
• traveling
• music
• guitar
• piano
• cycling
• hiking
• teaching
• study abroad

Music, Movies, and Books

I know everyone says, 'I like all kinds of music'... but I really do like all kinds of music! From industrial drone to bubblegum pop to lo-fi outsider weirdness to hip hop to indie-alt , s'all good.

I've worked at an independent cinema for the past four years, so I'm lucky enough to watch a LOT of films for free. All-time favourites include Donnie Darko, The Silence of the Lambs, The Wicker Man, Lost In Translation, Eternal Sunshine... - though the film I've probably (/definitely) seen most is The Muppets' Christmas Carol. I'm also very partial to a. horror films, and b. musicals.

Books: J.D. Salinger, Ernest Hemingway, Ali Smith, Donna Tartt, F. Scott Fitzgerald. 'The Things They Carried', 'Ghost World', 'The Virgin Suicides', 'Lolita', 'Wuthering Heights'.

Teach, Learn, Share

I think just talking with new people from different places is always a positive experience that you learn something from! But it'd would also be brilliant to learn from locals about the place where they live - places to eat/drink, things to do, issues that affect them. And if you're involved in anything creative, or social / community focused, then I'd love to share that with you.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can show you how to make a zine - you can bust out a one-sheet mini zine in thirty minutes, no problem!

I can also do less fun writing-related stuff: proofing, editing, etc. (it used to be my job).

I also love cooking and baking, and can do some (basic) bicycle maintenance, if you've got a puncture or dodgy brakes.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Romania, Spain, Switzerland, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United Kingdom