The Writing Squad

We set up the Writing Squad in 2001 as a project with 15 writers in Yorkshire, now we’re part of Arts Council England’s National Portfolio and recruit 30 writers aged 16-22 from across the north of England every two years.
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What’s unique about the Squad is that we don’t just offer workshops, one to ones and the chance to get experience and/or employment through our projects. Our support is there for as long as they want it, for the rest of their writing lives. 
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The Squad is where I have been able to put my political and leadership beliefs into practice: we are a lean, fleet of foot, dispersed, mutually supportive community - building for us is a verb not a noun. We are led by our writers’ changing needs, ambitions and circumstances, 50% of our board will always be made up of Squad writers.
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Hit the button to meet some of the 300+ writers we have worked with, read our ever expanding absurd list of what they have gone on to achieve, and say hello to our brilliant team.