Fighting Words NI

Fighting Words NI is a creative writing network that encourages and amplifies the voices of children and young people in our society. Our year-round programme of creative writing activities is free and supported by volunteer mentors from all walks of life. We aim to unlock creativity and inspire imagination - using storytelling to encourage self-expression, build creative confidence and literacy, and foster a love of writing and literature in everyone who takes part.

Our activities include Storymaking Workshops for schools and community groups, Write Clubs for teenagers working on their own independent ideas, and special cross-community and cross-border projects that give young writers the chance to collaborate in-depth with professional artists.

One of dozens of Fighting Words centres on the island of Ireland, FWNI is part of The International Alliance of Youth Writing Centers, which started with 826 Valencia in San Francisco and is now a growing, global network. FWNI patrons include the acclaimed local and international writers Lucy Caldwell, Roddy Doyle, Dave Eggers, Nick Hornby, Paul Muldoon and Glenn Patterson.

We are grateful to the following donors who support our work: Arts Council of Northern Ireland; Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, through the New Needs Fund; Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media; Foyle Foundation; Garfield Weston Foundation; The Ireland Funds; The Northern Ireland Executive, T:BUC – Central Good Relations Fund; and Trusthouse Charitable Foundation.

How to get involved

Please explore our website - which is full of stories, of course - and get in touch if you'd like to book a workshop for your school or community group, join our Write Club for writers ages 13-18, or find out more about becoming a volunteer writing mentor - a wonderful experience for anyone who's a good listener and is curious about young writers' amazing ideas.

Please contact Marnie Kennedy (Project Co-ordinator) at outreach@fightingwords.co.uk

General enquires

Please contact hello@fightingwords.co.uk or phone 028 9099 1038