Young Writers’ Groups

If you’re a secret scribbler, vocal wordsmith, closet novelist or part-time poet, Hive runs a network of FREE young writers groups in Sheffield, Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham. Our groups meet once a fortnight for 2 hours during term time on a regular weekday (from 5 or 5.30pm to 7 or 7.30pm depending on the group), They are for 14 to 19s.

We also have a once a month Saturday poetry group for 16-25s and are about to launch a fiction programme for 18 to 30s as part of our Hatch strand.

We are currently looking for new members of all our groups to start autumn 2018!

Who & what are our groups for?
We welcome young people of all interests, abilities and backgrounds who enjoy any form of writing. Our groups are about sparking ideas and exploring the power of words through creative writing exercises and techniques rather than obsessing over spelling and grammar (although that’s something we can help with too if you like). They’re also about being a fun part of a young writers’ community and the opportunities that come with it.

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. We have plenty of quiet and shy, and louder and talkative people in the groups. Everyone is welcoming, accepting and supportive of each other. It’s a great place to just be yourself. You can hear more about the group from young writers themselves here.

Our main 4 groups run fortnightly during term time. We also have a once a month Saturday poetry group for 16-25s and a new prose group starting (info posted soon).

• Sheffield Young Writers – almost full again, get in touch soon! 
  5.30 to 7.30pm, fortnightly during term time, Sheffield Central Library
• Rotherham Young Writers 
  5 to 7pm fortnightly during term time, Rotherham Central Library (The Riverside)
• Doncaster Young Writers 
  5 to 7pm fortnightly during term time, The Point, Doncaster
• Barnsley Young Writers 
  5 to 7pm fortnightly during term time, Barnsley Central Library
  For older young writers
• Saturday Poetry (once a month group for 16 to 25s from across South Yorkshire but based near the train station in Sheffield). Find out more here.
• Fiction programme – 18-30s (full)

Each of the 4 main groups provides opportunities to:

• 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: stories, poems, scripts, spoken word, lyrics, blogging, and journalism
• Meet fortnightly for two hour workshops during term time
• Gain feedback and guidance on your writing from emerging and professional writers
• 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 and won poetry slams and writing competitions such as Foyle Young Poet of the Year and the Cuckoo 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. Some have applied for, and been accepted into the Writing Squad, a professional development programme for young writers under 21. 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.

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 

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