Stories from Rife Magazine's new book

A Bristol University student has shared her story of defying her upbringing to pursue an education and career in theatre in a new book featuring the voices of Britain's youth.

Originally from Preston, Aniqah has just finished her second year studying Theatre and Performance at the University of Bristol.

She is one of the contributors featured in Rife: Twenty-one Stories from Britain's Youth - an anthology of essays released last Thursday (July 11) written entirely by young people aged 18-24, many of which are based in Bristol.

Raised in a traditional Muslim household, she explains in her essay Playing the Part, her family were reluctant to accept her hopes of studying theatre full-time - but that didn't stop her from pursuing her passion through the National Youth Theatre.

The book is led by voices not usually represented in the media - many of whom have been shaped by Rife's apprenticeship programme or have contributed to the Watershed-based online magazine in the past.

Aniqah herself has had several articles published in Rife, and has benefited from the expert guidance of in-house editors.

"Rife have opened so many doors for me, " Aniqah explained. "I never really pictured myself as a writer, and without working with the brilliant editors I don't think I would have necessarily had the confidence to pursue other projects.”

"Programmes like Rife are so important because I think so many young people feel disconnected from the media and have no idea how to find their way into a creative role.”

"I don't think traditional media properly explores the things that really matter to young people, which leads to people getting frustrated with not seeing themselves represented or defended.

"I'd love to see more books like this one - our generation has so much to say."

Find out more and grab your copy at https://www.rifemagazine.co.uk/rife-book
Full article https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/nerve-wracking-liberating-same-time-3084796