15th birthday appeal
Everyone has a voice. Help young people find theirs.
Hundreds of young people in low income communities from Hounslow to Hull are transformed each year by participation in First Story’s Young Writers Programme. Our provision nurtures students’ creativity, confidence and writing ability, as well as developing invaluable life skills, cultural experience and aspiration.
First Story offers young people something else. It helps them find a voice. Creative writing can change people’s lives: I’ve seen it happen. It’s more than learning a skill. It’s about learning that you, your family, your culture and your view of the world are rich and interesting and important.
Mark Haddon
Help us raise £15,000 in 2023
Support First Story and you are helping to nurture a new generation of diverse young voices, not always heard. Talented First Story students have performed their work across BBC platforms and at major literary festivals including Lincoln Book Festival and Bradford Literature Festival. Our alumni have won or been shortlisted for the Foyles Young Poets of the Year Award, the John Betjeman Prize, the Muslim Young Writers’ Award, the Wicked Young Writers’ Award and the Christopher Tower Poetry Prize.
Give more young people the opportunity to find their voices and be heard — donate to our appeal today.
With your support, we’ve been changing lives through writing since 2008. Read more about our milestone birthday here.
**UPDATE**
As of July 2023, £9,403 has been donated to our appeal. We’re over half way towards achieving our £15,000 target by the end of our 15th year. Please help us get there by donating what you can today. Thank you.
How your support makes a difference