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First Story

Creative writing charity for young people

  • Login
  • Donate
  • Programmes
    • Young Writers Programme
    • London Voice
    • Connect events
    • Young Writers Festival
    • Young Mentors
    • Young Writers Residential
    • Folio Academy Mentorships
    • Philip Pyke Memorial Prize
    • National Writing Day
  • Writers
    • Our ambassadors
    • Our writers
    • Become a First Story writer
  • Schools
    • Partner schools HUB
    • Resources for partner schools
    • Become a partner school
    • Sample writing by participants
    • Free writing resources
    • Free Festival Toolkit
    • Free copyright education resources
    • BBC Teach x First Story resources
  • Locations
    • East Midlands
    • Greater London
    • North West
    • Yorkshire
  • About
    • About First Story
    • News
    • Impact Report 2023/24
    • Impact stories
    • Staff and trustees
    • Vacancies
  • Support
    • Ways to support
    • Newsletter sign-up
    • Make a donation

A 16-week creative writing programme that gives KS3-5 students the skills and confidence to share their own unique voices

Register Now
First Story Festival

First Story builds

Confidence

First Story builds

Creativity

First Story builds

Writing Craft

The Young Writers Programme gives students

  • Encourgement to develop writing skills and the resilience to write at length
  • Techniques to help with planning, editing and proofreading
  • Confidence to discuss and share their work by developing oracy skills
  • Exclusive progression pathways and enrichment opportunities via competitions, mentorships and links with creative and cultural partners
Find out more about the programme

The Young Writers Programme offers

  • A hands-on intensive creative intervention for low-confidence writers
  • Dedicated professional Writer-in-Residence for 16 weeks
  • Training, resources and support for teachers
  • Professionally published anthology of students’ work
  • Showcase opportunities
  • National and regional events in partnership with university partners and wider school enrichment opportunities
Register Now
First Story Festival

Testimonials

Our flagship provision includes a professional writer, sixteen weeks of extracurricular writing workshops, a published anthology, plus exclusive access to year-round activities and opportunities.

The Young Writers Programme has allowed me to be more creative by thinking outside the box.

Student Survey Response 2023/24 (London)

860

Students participated in our flagship Young Writers Programme 2023/24

First Story Festival 2025 Chris Seddon
Register Now

90%

Of Young Writers Programme participants are more able to edit, review & reflect on their own work

Everyone has a voice.

First Story helps students find theirs.

First Story exists because access to quality cultural education is not distributed equally across the country or in education settings. We collaborate with teachers, professional writers and others, providing opportunities for under-served young people to participate in enriching creative writing activities.

Without this kind of programme, a number of our young students will pass through secondary school believing that they’re not good at writing. First Story gives writing voice to our participants.

Comfort Akano, Teacher of English, Skinners’ Academy
Saint Gabriels

Become a First Story School

Where we currently work

First Story
East Mids

First Story
London

First Story
North West

First Story
Yorkshire

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We use Pupil Premium as a primary indicator of disadvantage and would expect at least 70 per cent of a First Story group to be eligible. In consultation with each school, we may also work with students facings other barriers to learning, such as low prior attainers (below level 3 at end of KS2) and/or speakers of English as an additional language.

Register your school now

Support Us

First Story is a charity.

We couldn’t do what we do without our generous supporters. Whilst our partner schools contribute to the cost of our provision, we rely on voluntary support to deliver our programme.

Find out how you can help us provide life changing opportunities for young people.

Donate online today
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First Story's funders include

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Contact us

44 Webber Street
London
SE1 8QW

020 7481 7777

info@firststory.org.uk

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© First Story Ltd. All rights reserved | Registered Charity No: 1122939 | Company No: 06487410