Ways to Support
Everyone has a unique voice, a story to tell, and a right to be heard.
First Story nurtures diverse young voices, not always heard. Hundreds of young people in under-served communities from Hounslow to Hull are transformed each year by participation in our Young Writers Programme, which boosts creativity, confidence and writing ability, as well as developing invaluable life skills, cultural capital and aspiration.
To discuss any of these support options further, please contact ruth.omalley@firststory.org.uk or call the office on 020 7481 7777.
Donate
Regular or Single Donation: Make a one-off donation or commit to a monthly amount and join some of our closest supporters, a vitally important group helping to fund our core programmes.
Legacy Giving: By leaving even a small amount to First Story in your will, you can give the gift of creative writing to future generations. If you are considering this form of giving, please don’t hesitate to contact us for practical advice or support. And please let us know if you have already remembered us in your will, so that we can say thank you.
In Memory: We love to hear from supporters who want to make a donation to honour the memory of a loved one. Donors often tell us they chose First Story because their loved one valued education and creative writing, and knew how they can change the course of a life.
Corporate Support
Corporate support forms a crucial part of our funding. Join corporate supporters like Man Group and Wellington UK by making First Story your company’s charity of choice. From sponsorship and corporate giving, to employee fundraising and in-kind support, we’re keen to partner with values-aligned businesses of all sizes. Together, we can achieve incredible things for young people.
Fundraise for Us
With so many fun and rewarding ways to inspire donations from your family, friends, colleagues and community, whatever support you can give will make a huge difference. Could you organise your own event? How about taking on a sponsored challenge? You can even donate proceeds from the sale of tickets or products. Whatever you choose to do, we’ll promote your fundraising efforts through our website and digital channels.
How your Support Makes a Difference…
There is acute need for our programmes across the country, with demand from schools in all the areas where we operate. Teachers recognise our provision is uniquely placed to support building students’ confidence and wellbeing, to address lower than expected literacy levels at Key Stage 2 and to assist with pupils’ increasingly challenging transitions to secondary learning.
Before First Story my ambition went as far as getting out of bed and putting on socks in the morning. I wasn’t for school. I didn’t think I was going to get anywhere […] My mum would argue that First Story was the thing that saved me. It is amazing, the things that they’ve done for me, the opportunities.
Chloe Holland, First Story alumna
How your Support Impacts Young People’s Lives…
Daisy’s Story
Daisy was part of the Young Writers Programme at Laureate Academy from 2021/22. In 2024, she successfully applied for a place on the Young Writers Residential and in 2025 she joined First Story’s Young Creatives Collective. Read Daisy’s poem ‘Dear Dad’>
Malu’s Story
Malu was part of the Young Writers Programme at Holland Park in 2022/23. In 2024/25 she was awarded a Folio Academy Mentorship and was mentored by award-winning poet Caroline Bird. Read Malu’s poem ‘Happy Birthday whoever you are’>
Harriet’s Story
Harriet was part of the first ever Young Writers Programme at Co-op Academy Manchester in 2023/24. Bursting with energy and a love for writing, she talks about her experience in the weekly sessions at school, being part of the Young Writers Residential 2024, and her aspirations for the future. Read Harriet’s poem ‘Hues of Insanity’>
Tilly’s Story
Tilly completed the First Story Young Writers Programme at Landau Forte College Derby. They took part in the virtual Young Writers Residential in 2020. In 2023/24 they were awarded a Folio Academy Mentorship and were mentored by Peter Hobbs. They represented First Story at the Fair Education Alliance’s 2024 Youth Summit. Read Tilly’s poem ‘Floor …
Sarah’s Story
Sarah completed the First Story Young Writers Programme at St Paul’s Way Trust School with Writer-in-Residence Cecilia Knapp 2021/22. She successfully applied for a place on the Young Writers Residential in 2022 at Arvon’s Lumb Bank site. In 2023/24, whilst studying at St Paul’s Way Sixth Form, she was awarded a Folio Academy Mentorship and …
Ravena Guron’s Story
Ravena completed the First Story Young Writers Programme at Wembley High Technology College in 2013 with Writer-in-Residence Peter Hobbs. Having earned two degrees, in biochemistry and law Ravena is now a celebrated young adult fiction author, with three titles published by Faber & Faber. Her book The Thief of Farrowfell was shortlisted for Penguin’s WriteNow scheme. …
Danny’s Story
Danny completed the First Story Young Writers Programme at Nottingham Academy in 2018. In 2021, he suffered a traumatic brain injury and used his writing skills to help in his recovery. In 2024, he combined these skills with his experience as a young carer to lead a Nottingham Poetry Festival featured project, working with young …
Safaa’s Story
Safaa Sobri is a student at Co-op Academy Grange in Bradford where she worked with Writers-in-Residence Dan Ingram Brown and Sairish Hussain. Safaa was selected to attend First Story’s Summer Residential in 2022, attending the week long course at Arvon’s Lumb Bank in West Yorkshire. She plans to go to university in the future and …
Lily’s Story
Lily completed the First Story Young Writers Programme at The Dukeries Academy in 2022. Since then she has attended the Summer Residential and was awarded a place on our Folio Mentoring scheme. She was mentored by Diana Evans on developing her poetry and a short novel. She has recently taken a place at Oxford Brookes …
Khaya’s Story
Since completing our Young Writers Programme at Nottingham Academy in 2014, Khaya has created Femme Fatale Gals, an annual magazine and self-empowerment platform for girls and women. She has worked with creative organisations across the region to deliver writing and wellbeing workshops for students, young people and adults. Khaya continues to write stories and songs, …
Daniella’s Story
Daniella, who attends Skinners Academy in London, took part in our 2021-22 Young Writers Programme. She then applied for and won a place on First Story’s summer residential at Arvon Lumb Bank. Daniella has since signed up for First Story’s Young Ambassadors programme and continues to get involved in organising creative writing activities in her …
Cheyenne’s Story
Whilst taking part in the Young Writers Programme at Hull College, Cheyenne entered First Story’s 100 Word Story competition, placing third nationally. After the programme, Cheyenne applied for and won a coveted place on the Rathbones Folio Mentorships scheme in the 2021/22 cohort. Read an extract of Cheyenne’s writing here >
