Young Writers’ Groups

We’re looking for new members! (online/real world)
If you’re a secret scribbler, vocal wordsmith, closet novelist or part-time poet, Hive runs a network of young writers groups in Sheffield, Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham. 

Our 14-19s groups meet once a fortnight for 2-hour workshops during term time on a weekday (usually from 5-7pm). Come and build your confidence, be creative and meet others with like-minded interests. You can join any time. (We also run projects for aged 14 up to 30 from time to time including a Poetry Collective for 17-30s and fiction projects too).

“I love how relaxed it is! Ideal if you’re socially awkward like me haha (and dyslexic), although my confidence has grown tons and I’ve made some great friends from the group too.”

Who & what are our groups for?
We welcome young people of all interests, abilities and backgrounds who enjoy any form of writing. You don’t have to think you’re a great writer to join, you just need an interest in writing and a willingness to try new things. Our groups are about sparking ideas and exploring the power of words through creative writing exercises and techniques and not about spelling and grammar. They’re also about being a fun part of a young writers’ community and the opportunities that come with it.

We attract plenty of shy and talkative people to the groups. Everyone is welcoming, accepting and supportive of each other. You can find out what past members of our groups have to say in interviews here (bear in mind these are young people who have been in the network a long time or have left so they might seem quite confident/old!)
(Our groups might sometimes transfer to online Zooms when needed. If you feel like you live too far out of town, but you want to try a group, let us know.

Sheffield Young Writers – space for more!
5-7pm, fortnightly Weds during term time, Sheffield Central Library (but will start in an alternative location in city centre til early 2022) free for the first session then a small termly fee. Contact us for more info. (get in touch, email below)
Rotherham Young Writers – space for more!
5-7pm fortnightly during term time, Rotherham Riverside Library. Free! (get in touch, email below)
Doncaster Young Writers- space for more!
5-7pm fortnightly Thursdays (poss change to tues or weds after start) Darts/The Point near central library/Hall Cross Free!
Fortnight Thurs eves (get in touch, email below or turn up!)
Barnsley Young Writers (details to TBC, starts Jan(get in touch, email below)
5-7pm fortnightly during term time, Free, Barnsley Town Centre Venue TBC
Hive Poetry Collective for 17 to 30s (currently a once every 3 weeks) Find out more>> here (small sessional fee)
Interested in checking out a group?  Email us with your name, age, writing interests, and the group you’re interested in to: info@hivesouthyorkshire.com

At our groups:

  • Write, share and develop your interests with other young writers in a relaxed and supportive environment
  • Explore a wide range of creative writing forms including fiction, scripts, poems, spoken word, lyrics, blogging, and journalism
  • Meet fortnightly for two-hour workshops during term time
  • Gain feedback and guidance on your writing from  professional writers
  • Hear about national and regional writing competitions and awards
  • Access and take part in further writing opportunities such as themed projects, residentials, and open mics
  • Gain a writing-focused Arts Award through an ongoing commitment to your writing

Writing successes
Members of our groups have been published widely, and won poetry slams and writing competitions and awards such as Foyle Young Poet of the Year, New Poets Prize, the BBC Young Writers’ Award, Ledbury Poetry competition, Wales Young Poet Award and the Young Northern Writers Award. Some have performed with top poets including Benjamin Zephaniah, Buddy Wakefield, and Hollie McNish, or interviewed a favourite author such as Malorie Blackman. Some have gone on to study writing at university or taken their writing further with a whole range of exciting opportunities. Membership of one of our groups has been something to feel proud of on uni statements and CVs. And we’re pretty sure, all long-term members would agree that the skills and qualities they developed from coming to a writing group have helped support their journey into adult life. You can find some of your celebrated young writers here.

Still not sure? Listen to young writers tell you how they got involved here.