Leave a Comment · Posted on October 19, 2026
Congratulations! Foyle Young Poets Connor & Nathan…
A huge congratulations to Rotherham Young Writers Connor Mortimer and Nathan Graham, who have both been commended in the Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award 2026. Nathan was also one of last year’s top 15 winners, making this another fantastic achievement for him.
This year, young poets from 153 countries entered over 11,000 poems into the competition, with. From these, judges Rachel Long and John McAuliffe selected just 100 winning poets – 15 top winners and 85 commended poets.
Reflecting on the judging process, poet Rachel Long said:
“John and I were bowled over by the sheer talent; the range, skill, and imagination of these poems.”
Fellow judge John McAuliffe described reading and discussing the poems as “just exhilarating”, praising the young poets for their imaginative approaches to writing and the worlds they created.
Huge congratulations again to Connor and Nathan – we’re so proud to see two Rotherham Young Writers recognised among this year’s 100 winning poets.
Run by The Poetry Society, with longstanding support from The Foyle Foundation, the Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award is one of the world’s leading poetry competitions for young people. The Poetry Society also runs the brilliant Young Poets Network, with lots of opportunities, competitions and resources for young poets. Check it out here.
Leave a Comment · Posted on October 12, 2026
Intro to Creative Writing Saturday Half Term at Sheffield Central Library
Aged 14 to 19 in the Sheffield area? Interested in developing your creative writing (stories, poems, scripts, spoken word, etc.) and where it could take you? If so, join us this half-term workshop at Sheffield Central Library for a free, relaxed Saturday afternoon intro to all things creative writing.
Expect fun writing exercises, tips and tricks for powerful writing, and to learn about exciting opportunities to develop as a writer and send your work out into the world, locally, regionally and nationally. You’ll find out how Hive’s regional young writers’ network can support this, including young writers’ groups across South Yorkshire including Sheffield Young Writers.
From competitions and awards to publication and live performance, whether hobby or career interest, you’ll hear about what’s out there for you! The afternoon will be led by writer Vicky Morris (poet & editor), who’ll share insights into her own writing journey, answer questions and give advice.
Come and meet other young people with similar interests and leave with plenty of inspiration, new ideas to work on and the confidence to keep scribbling. No experience needed, and you don’t have to think you’re a great writer to attend. Just bring an interest in words, some curiosity and a willingness to have a go!
Where: The Carpenter Room, Sheffield Central Library
When: Saturday 31st Oct, 1–3.30pm, with refreshments break
Free | Places limited
To book: Send your full name, date of birth & any interests you want to tell us about to [email protected]
In partnership with Sheffield Libraries Year of Reading
2026 is the National Year of Reading, a nationwide celebration encouraging people of all ages to discover (or rediscover!) the joy of reading through the things they love. As part of Sheffield Libraries’ programme of events, Hive is celebrating the creative possibilities of reading and writing with a special half-term workshop for young people.
Vicky Morris is a British/Welsh short story writer and poet based in Sheffield. Her debut chapbook If All This Never Happened was a winner of the Munster Fool for Poetry Chapbook Competition 2021 and was shortlisted in the Saboteur Awards 21/22. Her writing has appeared in places like The Rialto, Mslexia Magma, and The North. She has been placed in various competitions including winning the Aurora Prize 2020, and the Prole Laureate Competition in 2019. Vicky is the founder of Hive Young Writers Network, and in 2019 received a Sarah Nulty Award for her impact developing younger writers across the region. She was an Arvon/Jerwood 2019 mentee, and was shortlisted for the Mairtín Crawford Award 2022.
Leave a Comment · Posted on September 17, 2026
Introducing Word Honey: A Decade of Hive….
“Hive isn’t about producing a single type of writer or a single definition of success. It’s about people finding their own path. A true arts ecology.” Ian McMillan
We’re delighted to have received Arts Council Project Grant funding to support Word Honey, a year-long project running from autumn 2026, celebrating a decade of Hive Young Writers’ Network and inspiring what comes next.
Drawing inspiration from ten years of young writers’ creative journeys, stories and achievements, Word Honey will bring together a buzz of writing-related opportunities and happenings, from workshops and competitions to events and writing programmes. There’ll be interviews with Hive alumni and practising writers, sharing inspiration and tips, alongside stories, snapshots and successes from a vibrant decade of writing, and the communities, voices and journeys that have grown through it… all while helping a new generation of young writers find their voice and flourish.
Keep an eye on our website and socials to see what’s happening!
Love Hive x
Word Honey is part-funded by Arts Council England through National Lottery Project Grants, thanks to National Lottery players. Our regional partners and supporters include Barnsley Civic, Sheffield City Council, Rotherham Council, Flux Rotherham, Sheffield Hallam University & Off the Shelf Festival of Words.
Hive Young Writers Network (established 2016) is the only open-access initiative dedicated to developing & connecting young writers aged 14–30 across South Yorkshire and the nearby North. As a not-for-profit cultural organisation led by diverse creative freelancers, we bring decades of expertise to nurturing young writer talent, as mentors, educators & published authors.
Leave a Comment · Posted on August 31, 2026
Saturday Intro to Creative Writing at Barnsley Civic for 14-19s
Aged 14 to 19 in the Barnsley area? Interested in developing your creative writing (stories, poems, scripts, spoken word, etc.) and where it could take you? If so, join us at Barnsley Civic for a free, relaxed Saturday afternoon introduction to all things creative writing.
Expect fun writing exercises, tips and tricks for powerful writing, and to learn about exciting opportunities to develop as a writer and send your work out into the world, locally, regionally and nationally. You’ll find out all the ways Hive’s regional young writers’ network can support this, including Barnsley Young Writers (starting again in Oct). From competitions and awards to publication and live performance, whether hobby or career interest, you’ll hear about what’s out there for you!
The afternoon will be led by writers Nik Perring (script & short story writer) and Vicky Morris (poet & editor), who’ll share insights into their own writing journeys, answer questions and give advice.
Come and meet other young people with similar interests and leave with plenty of inspiration, new ideas to work on and the confidence to keep scribbling. No experience needed, and you don’t have to think you’re a great writer to attend. Just bring an interest in words, some curiosity and a willingness to have a go!
Where: Barnsley Civic
When: Saturday 19th Sept 1-3.30pm with refreshments break
To book: Send you full name, date of birth & any interests you wish to tell us about to: [email protected]
A partnership between Barnsley Civic and Hive Young Writers Network (supported by Word Honey)
About Barnsley Civic
Barnsley Civic is a creative and cultural hub in the heart of Barnsley, bringing people together through theatre, performance, exhibitions, workshops and community activity. Its programme spans a wide range of art forms, with something for all ages, alongside opportunities to get involved and be creative. Barnsley Civic works with many local partners, including Hive, to run Barnsley Young Writers and other creative projects.
About Hive Young Writers Network
Hive supports young writers across South Yorkshire and the nearby North to reach their writing potential through workshops, projects, publications, performances and much more. Over the last decade, Hive has helped thousands of young people explore creative writing, from hobby interests to wider ambitions, including winners of accolades such as the BBC Young Writers’ Award and Northern Writers’ Award, Poet Laureates and those who’ve gone on to related careers. Former Hive young writers include BBC Radio presenter Sile Sibanda and Joe O’Brien, songwriter and lead guitarist with The Reytons.
Leave a Comment · Posted on September 9, 2026
Hive Young Writers Competition 2026/27
Leave a Comment · Posted on September 4, 2026
Young Writers Groups
Leave a Comment · Posted on August 10, 2026
Congratulations to Eliana: Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s Anniversary Poetry Competition
Huge congratulations to 16-year-old Sheffield Young Writer Eliana Holloway, who has won the 13–17 category of Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s 80th Anniversary Poetry Competition with her poem The Waxwings of Morrisons’ Carpark.
The competition, celebrating 80 years of Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, invited poets to capture the natural beauty of Yorkshire’s landscapes, wildlife and wild places, or reflect on eight decades of conservation across the county.
Ian McMillan said of judging the competition: ‘I’m very moved by the way that people turn to heightened language to articulate how much wildlife of all kinds means to them. In the end we’re all wildlife, I guess, and we’re all poets.’
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust has been protecting Yorkshire’s wildlife and wild places since 1946. The charity manages and restores more than 100 nature reserves across the county, protects threatened species and habitats, campaigns for nature, and works with communities to help people connect with and care for Yorkshire’s natural environment. There are lots of ways to support Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s work, from volunteering and attending events to becoming a member, donating or campaigning for wildlife.
Find out how you can get involved and read the competition winners at: Yorkshire Wildlife Trust
Leave a Comment · Posted on July 16, 2026
Hive poets perform at National Poetry Collectives Showcase
We’re delighted that Hive poets Safa Maryam and Holly Thorpe will be representing Hive at the National Poetry Collectives Showcase in London on Saturday 18th July.
Bringing together nine of the UK’s leading poetry collectives, the Showcase celebrates emerging writers and the power of live poetry, creating an exciting platform for some of the country’s brightest new voices.
Safa and Holly are wonderful poets and performers, and we’re delighted that they’ll be taking their place alongside some of England’s most exciting emerging poets. If you’re near London, don’t miss this incredible showcase! Tickets here. Huge thanks to Toby Campion, forever championing the next generation of poets nationwide! 💛
About the National Poetry Collectives Showcase
Founded in 2018, the National Poetry Collectives Showcase brings together some of the country’s leading poetry collectives for an evening of unforgettable live performance. Passionate, political and profound, it offers audiences the chance to experience some of the UK’s brightest emerging poets together on one stage.
Safa Maryam is a poet and doctor. Her work has been published and anthologised by Mslexia, Northern Gravy, Butcher’s Dog and The Poetry Business, amongst others. She has been a finalist in the Mslexia Poetry Competition, shortlisted for the Bridport Prize, and most recently longlisted in the National Poetry Competition. (Safa’s photo by Ismail Ali)
Holly Thorpe is a poet, fiction writer and facilitator from Wrexham. She has performed at The Big Gay Poetry Night: Mamma Queer and One Mic Stand. She was recently published in The Rising Line and The Camellia House & Other Stories anthologies. Holly was a Hive Young Curator for the Forward Prize Young Poets Summit 2025.
Leave a Comment · Posted on July 14, 2026
If Buildings Could Speak Writing Workshop August at Barnsley Civic
If buildings could speak, what would they tell us? What have they seen and what have they heard? What tales would they weave about the strangeness of their spaces, or about the humans (and ghosts) who move through them?
Join us at Barnsley Civic on Saturday 22nd August for a wonderfully creative (and free!) workshop exploring all things creative writing for 14 – 18 year olds.
You’ll get a behind-the-scenes tour of the Civic and be able to dig through 150 years of photos and archives to inspire you to write poetry and short fiction. We’ll share fab tips and tricks for writing great creative pieces, and you’ll hear more about wider opportunities to carry on developing your writing.
Expect a relaxed and fun afternoon. Everyone is welcome, and you don’t have to think you’re a great writer to come along. Just bring a little curiosity, an interest in words and an urge to be creative. Break refreshments provided.
If you have any questions about the workshops, email [email protected] or booking here
This workshop is part of CIVIC 150, a two-year project working towards the building’s 150th birthday in 2028.
Barnsley Civic in partnership with Hive Young Writers Network. This workshop is supported by the Great Childhoods Ambition Fund.
Leave a Comment · Posted on June 30, 2026
Northern Writers Awards 2026
A huge congratulations to Nathan Graham, Molly Knox and Safa Maryam on their success in the Northern Writers’ Awards 2026!
Nathan Graham – Winner of the Young Northern Writers’ Award (aged 15-18)
Nathan Graham is a 16-year-old member of Rotherham Young Writers. He was a winner of the Foyle Young Poets 2025 and recently performed as support for Scottish poet Len Pennie at Flux Rotherham. What the judges said about Nathan’s work:
“An outstanding example of how humour can be used to highlight social inequalities and injustices. I admired how politically aware and astute they are, and the authenticity and intelligence of the work.”
Molly Knox – Shortlisted for the Northern Debut Award for Poetry
Hive Poetry Collective member Molly Knox is a recent MA Ethnomusicology graduate, working in arts research. She was a 2025 T. S. Eliot Young Critic and a winner of The Poetry Society’s ‘Ecotones’ challenge. Her recent writing has appeared in Magma and The Selkie, and is forthcoming in Poetry Wales. Her poetry chapbook, Spindrift, is published by The Braag.
Safa Maryam – Longlisted for the Northern Debut Award for Poetry
Hive Poetry Collective member Safa Maryam is a poet and doctor. Her work has been published and anthologised by Mslexia, Northern Gravy, Butcher’s Dog and The Poetry Business, amongst others. She has been a finalist in the Mslexia Poetry Competition, shortlisted for the Bridport Prize, and most recently longlisted in the National Poetry Competition. (Safa’s photo by Ismail Ali)
Previous Hive writers who’ve been placed in the Young Northern Writers’ Awards include Isabella Merino Garzon, Lauren Hollingworth Smith, George Woodhead, Hala Mukhair, Nefeli Frida, Isabelle Pollard, Eloise Unerman, Naomi Thomas, Ciah White, Charlie Jolley, Maisie Mair and Haider Nazir.
More about the Northern Writers’ Awards
Established in 2000 by New Writing North, the Northern Writers’ Awards support new, emerging and established writers across the North of England. The awards recognise exceptional work-in-progress and offer support including cash awards, mentoring, professional development and industry connections to help writers develop their work and progress their careers.
The Northern Writers’ Awards are produced by New Writing North and supported by Northumbria University, Arts Council England and a range of partners. For more information: www.newwritingnorth.com