We are a charity for children, targeting under-attainment, un-engagement and disadvantage. Our projects are in schools, children’s centres, libraries and arts venues. We target areas of England that the Government and Arts Council England have highlighted as disadvantaged economically and limited in arts provision for children and young people. Our children’s writers, storytellers, poets and illustrators work with children and young people to inspire and develop their creativity.

Save the Children has shown in 2011 that in many areas of the country one in four children live in poverty, and 1.6 million suffer severe deprivation. We  fundraise from Trusts and Foundations to significantly subsidise our writers’ work in schools with high deprivation, those for instance with 1 in 3 children taking free school meals.

We were set up by teachers 25 years ago in a disadvantaged area of south London to work with local children at risk of failing in schools. The organisation’s work was soon requested from across London and then the South East. Demand from schools across England, and from regional writers aware of local needs, led to us working nationally in 2008.

Celebrating the creative work of children and young people is further prompt to their aspirations and self-esteem. We ask local Press and Radio to work with us in bringing these young people’s achievements to the attention of their local communities.