National Writing Day launches online #writefromhome campaign

The National Writing Day coalition is launching a bank of online writing resources for students, as part of a campaign to encourage them to write during lockdown.

Led by literary charity First Story, the resources will include weekly tutorials to provide creative writing stimulus, the first of which will be delivered by Cecilia Knapp on the theme of identity. Eight other writers - including Dean Atta, Andrew McMillan and William Fiennes - will host subsequent tutorials.

Other programmes provided by the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education, Drivers Youth Trust, English and Media Centre, National Literacy Trust and National Poetry Day will be available on the same platform. They have all been adapted for teachers or parents to use for home learning.

Young people can share their writing using the hashtag #Writefromhome. 

Antonia Byatt, c.e.o at First Story (pictured), said: “Writing is a powerful way to share experiences, make sense of the world and reduce isolation. Many young people are finding life challenging in lockdown for so many reasons. But young writers are also funny and resilient. We hope #writefromhome will be a chance to hear what the generation missing out on school has to say."

The bank is accessible from today, Wednesday 29th April.

National Writing Day is a coalition of literacy charities and publishers all working to celebrate the power of writing, and made up of First Story, Arvon Foundation, ALCS, Authorfy, Centre for Literacy in Primary Education, The British Library, Drivers Youth Trust, English and Media Centre, Hachette, National Literacy Trust, National Poetry Day and Penguin Random House.

National Writing Day is on 24th June.