New Writing North marks 25th awards with fundraising campaign

New Writing North has launched a campaign to raise money for its young people’s programmes, in celebration of its 25th Northern Writers’ Awards

Over the past five years, from its base in Newcastle, New Writing North has worked with more than 10,000 children from disadvantaged and culturally diverse backgrounds across North East England, many of whom have additional needs or speak English as an additional language. 

From sessions in primary schools, to writers’ groups and development opportunities for 18-25-year-olds, the programmes aim to introduce young people to creative writing in various forms – including song writing, poetry, rap, scriptwriting and podcasting. Creative writing projects and activities are led by expert writers and facilitators at no cost to the young people or their families.

Through a new digital fundraising campaign, New Writing North is hoping to bolster support for the programmes and remind everyone that “while winning a prestigious prize can change a writer’s life, it doesn’t start with an award – it starts with someone believing in you and nurturing your potential”. 

New Writing North c.e.o Claire Malcolm said: “At New Writing North, we make it our mission to find, support and champion the next generation of great Northern writing talent. We’re delighted to celebrate, along with our partners, our 25th Northern Writers’ Awards this year. Through them, we’ve supported hundreds of amazing writers and rebalanced the writing industry, which has been so weighted towards London for so long.

“We know that talent is everywhere, but opportunities are not. That’s why our work with local children and young people in disadvantaged communities is so critical – to ensure our young people have the tools they need to express emotions, to feel empowered, and to shape their own future in our society. To know that they matter. That people believe in them.

“We hope that people, anyone who enjoys reading, TV and films, podcasts and audiobooks, wherever they’re based, will consider helping us to cover the costs of providing these programmes and activities – and provide new opportunities and life-changing chances.”

Donations are being accepted until June 25th, the night of the Northern Writers’ Awards ceremony, and can be made at: www.justgiving.com/campaign/youngwriters