Feedback from participants The programme blew me away – I learned so much, both from the facilitators and the other participants, and reframing facilitation as a 'part of creative practice' rather …
Partnerships
Tiny Poems Competition Winners 2024/25
We're excited to announce the winners of our first ever Tiny Poems Competition - for poems of five lines or fewer. Participation was high, with 231 young writers taking part. This year's judges …
Young Writers Festival North Highlights 2025
On 3 June 2025, First Story participants from Bradford, Manchester and Rochdale came together at Manchester Metropolitan University, to take part in our first ever Young Writers Festival North. Hosted …
Six Word Story Competition Winners 2024/25
Our annual Six Word Story competition is a challenge in concise storytelling. Inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s famous six word story “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” we ask our young …
First Story students appear live on Leeds radio station Chapel FM
First Story students from Co-op Academy Grange in Bradford were invited to read their writing live on Leeds' Chapel FM on Friday 6 December. Students had prepared pieces for the broadcast, with writer …
Announcing: Folio Academy Mentorships 2024/25
We are now in the eighth year of our partnership with The Writers' Prize, through which talented First Story students benefit from working one-to-one with an acclaimed writer from The Folio …
Folio Academy Mentorships 2024 showcase
The Folio Academy Mentorship scheme gives talented First Story alumni the opportunity to be mentored for one year by experienced, acclaimed writers from the Folio Academy. On 13 July our 2023/24 …
First Story at Nottingham Poetry Festival
This June we were proud to celebrate the finale of our collaboration with Nottingham Poetry Festival, at an inspiring event at Nottingham's new Central Library. Two schools - The Bulwell Academy and …
Young Writers Festival Highlights 2024
On 27 March 2024, nearly 300 First Story participants from across England came together at Downing College, University of Cambridge, to take part in our annual Young Writers Festival. It was a day …
First Story bursary opportunities for PGCert Teaching Creative Writing at University of Cambridge
For the sixth year running, First Story are collaborating with the University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education to offer a bursary opportunity for those applying for the Postgraduate …
A day of creative collaboration – First Story Writers at the Courtauld Gallery
We recently reignited our partnership with London's Courtauld Gallery, which had previously hosted Schools Connect Events before the pandemic. 10 of our London writers attended a 'meeting of …
Six Word Story Competition Winners 2023/24
Our annual Six Word Story competition is a challenge in concise storytelling. Inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s famous six word story “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” we ask our young …
Announcing: Folio Prize Mentorships 2023/24
We are now in the seventh year of our partnership with the prestigious Folio Prize, through which talented First Story students benefit from working one-to-one with an acclaimed writer from the Folio …
Folio mentorships 2023 showcase
The Rathbones Folio Prize Mentorships scheme gives talented First Story alumni the opportunity to be mentored for one year by experienced, acclaimed writers from the Folio Academy. On 15 July our …
School Writing Trail with Manchester City of Literature
Nineteen students from the six local schools who took part in Manchester Connect event in April 2023 featured in Manchester UNESCO City of Literature's first Schools' Writing Trail in June …
Young Writers Festival Highlights 2023
On 30 March 2023, more than 240 First Story participants from across England came together at the University of Cambridge to take part in our annual Young Writers Festival. Held for the first time at …
First Story bursary opportunities announced for PGCert at University of Cambridge
For the fifth year running, First Story are collaborating with the University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education to offer a bursary opportunity for those applying for the Postgraduate …
Announcing: Rathbones Folio Prize Mentorships 2022/23
We are now in the sixth year of our partnership with the prestigious Rathbones Folio Prize, through which talented First Story students benefit from working one-to-one with an acclaimed writer from …
Passing the Parcel at The Portico Library
First Story and The Writing Squad came together to highlight opportunities available for young writers in Greater Manchester in a taster session hosted by The Portico Library. Through a set of …
Folio mentorships 2022 showcase
The Rathbones Folio Prize Mentorships scheme gives talented First Story alumni the opportunity to be mentored for one year by experienced, acclaimed writers from the Folio Academy. On a hot summer …
First Story partners with Goldsmiths University to further the careers of emerging young writers
“Working with First Story has been a beautiful life experience” In 2021 First Story were thrilled to partner with Goldsmiths University once again, offering a student completing an MA in Creative …
Tracy Chevalier announced as First Story Ambassador
Best selling novelist Tracy Chevalier is the latest high profile writer to support First Story as an Ambassador. She joins the celebrated YA author Patrice Lawrence MBE in the role, to help champion …
FIVE First Story bursaries for PGCert at University of Cambridge
This is the fourth year that First Story will be collaborating with the University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education to help educators share the power of creative writing. Open to …
Patrice Lawrence MBE announced as First Story Ambassador
Carnegie Medal nominee, Patrice Lawrence MBE has been announced as Ambassador for First Story, England’s leading creative writing charity for young people. Lawrence will champion First Story’s mission …
