Coram Voice provides a range of services to children and young people in and around the care system. For its second annual Voices competition, the charity is inviting children in care and young care leavers to write up to 500 words in any format they like on the theme of ‘New Beginnings’. Entries can be submitted online at coramvoice.org.uk/voices-2017.
The competition is grouped in three age categories: primary school, secondary school and care leavers, with a special additional award for migrant children in care or care leavers.
The entries will be judged by a panel of leading authors, writers and journalists, some with personal experience of the care system. This includes:
• Alex Wheatle, winner of the 2016 Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize
• Jackie Long, Social Affairs Editor for Channel 4 News
• Jenny Molloy, author of ‘Hackney Child’
• Paolo Hewitt, music journalist, writer and author of ‘The Looked After Kid’
• Nikesh Shukla, writer and editor of ‘The Good Immigrant’
• Keren David, author of young adult fiction including ‘Salvage’
• Luke Stevenson, Children’s Social Care Journalist for Community Care
Winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony in London on 10 April 2017.
Author Jenny Molloy said: “My advice to those who enter is not to think too much, just write what you feel. This is your personal space and a chance to share your inner thoughts. I am delighted to be on the judging panel – it’s an honour to be trusted with your stories.”
To enter and for more information and tips, please visit coramvoice.org.uk/voices-2017.