Young Writers’ Groups
If you’re a secret scribbler, vocal wordsmith, closet novelist or part-time poet, Hive runs a network of young writers groups and programmes (usually in Sheffield, Barnsley, Doncaster and Rotherham) Restarting Sept 2026!
Come, be creative and meet others with like-minded interests while building your skills and confidence.
Who & what are our groups for?
We welcome young people of all interests 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.
Whether you’re shy or talkative, into sci-fi or poetry, you’ll find your place here. Everyone is welcoming, accepting and supportive of each other. And there are always biscuits! 🙂 We also run projects for aged 14 up to 30, and currently have an exciting 14-30s competition running here.
Please email & say hi (details below) before coming to check out a group. Thanks! 🙂
Our groups and programmes typically run during term time 5-7pm on a fortnightly weekday in central Rotherham, Sheffield, Barnsley & Doncaster.
Interested in checking out a group? Email us: with your name | date of birth | any writing interests | and the group/town you’re interested in to: [email protected] Note: ideally send from non-school email as these can block incoming replies 🙂
Hive Poetry Collective online for writers aged 17 to 30s (currently once every 3 weeks on a Sunday on Zoom) Find out more>> here
Writing successes
Members of our groups have been widely published and have won poetry slams, writing competitions and awards including the BBC Young Writers’ Award, the Orwell Youth Prize, Foyle Young Poet of the Year, the New Poets Prize, the Ledbury Poetry Competition and the Young Northern Writers Award.
They’ve performed alongside leading poets including Benjamin Zephaniah, Buddy Wakefield and Hollie McNish, and interviewed authors such as Malorie Blackman. Many have gone on to study creative writing at university or pursue a wide range of exciting opportunities in the arts and beyond.
Being part of our groups is something many members are proud to include on university applications and CVs. More importantly, we’re confident our long-term members would say that the creativity, confidence and friendships they’ve developed through the groups have supported them throughout their education and into adult life.
Our groups alumni include: Joe O’Brien (lead guitarist and songwriter in THE REYTONS), Sile Sibanda (presenter on BBC Radio Sheffield) and Sheffield Poet Laureates: Warda Yassin & Beth Davies. You can meet some of our celebrated young writers here.
At our groups:
— Write, share and develop your interests with other young writers in a relaxed & supportive environment
— Explore a range of creative writing forms including fiction, scripts, poems, spoken word 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
— Take part in further writing opportunities such as themed projects, residentials, and local open mics
— Gain a writing-focused Arts Award through an ongoing commitment to your writing
Still not sure? Listen to (older) young writers tell you how they got involved (from way back in 2017!) here.
