Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

First Story @firststory.bsky.social · 19h

We are recruiting for 2 interns:

PROGRAMME & PARTNERSHIPS INTERN
National Living Wage/London Living Wage
Part time
FTC Nov 25-Jan 26
Manchester or London

ASSISTANT FESTIVAL PRODUCER INTERN
£3,420 FTC at National Living Wage
40 days (part time) Dec 25–Apr 26
Manchester

firststory.org.uk/vacancies/

1 1

First Story @firststory.bsky.social · Jul 22

We're seeking a Finance and Operations Manager (£40-42K, 0.6 FTE) to lead on all aspects of financial planning, management and reporting to First Story and to ensure that the finance function is carried out effectively and efficiently.

Closes: 5pm, 8 September 2025.

firststory.org.uk/vacancies/

3

First Story @firststory.bsky.social · Jul 3

Winners of our new Tiny Poems Competition:

1st Sustenance - Sophie, Holland Park School
2nd Maybe Cheetahs...' - Braydon, Titus Salt School
3rd Matchsticks - Sara Alexandra, Holland Park School

Thanks to judges Jay Bhadricha, John McAuliffe & Tallulah Howarth.

firststory.org.uk/tiny-poems-c...

3

Reposted by First Story

ALCS @alcs.co.uk · Jun 25

Happy National Writing Day! Today is a day dedicated to celebrating the power of writing creatively ✍️ This year's theme is #ShareYourVoice, check out @firststory.bsky.social for great resources to get people started with writing: firststory.org.uk/writeday/ #NationalWritingDay

Graphic that says Happy national writing day!

5 13

First Story @firststory.bsky.social · Jun 25

Happy National Writing Day 2025! Grab your pens, pencils or laptops and celebrate this year’s theme #ShareYourVoice!
We've commissioned award-winning YA author Dean Atta to create a writing activity. Head over to our Insta page to take part: www.instagram.com/firststory_uk/

#NationalWritingDay

2 3

First Story @firststory.bsky.social · Jun 4

📢The Philip Pyke Memorial Prize 2025 winners:

1ST Lewis Buxton for ‘Naming Ceremony’.
2ND Maria Clark for ‘Heartless’.
3RD Hannah Idil for ‘there are fewer joys than water to drink’.
HIGHLY COMMENDED Priya Gill for ‘House of Suits’.

Read more: firststory.org.uk/winners-of-t...

1

First Story @firststory.bsky.social · Jun 3

We’re at our first Young Writers Festival North at Manchester Metropolitan University welcoming students from across Greater Manchester and Yorkshire for a fun packed day of creativity. 💫

2 2

First Story @firststory.bsky.social · May 20

ONE WEEK LEFT TO APPLY FOR THESE TWO ROLES⬇️

Full details: firststory.org.uk/vacancies/

Both close: Tuesday 27 May.

First Story @firststory.bsky.social · May 8

We are recruiting:

Programmes and Partnerships Manager London £29-30K, (FT/0.8) - to ensure the programme is delivered at a high level to existing and new schools.

Partnerships Officer £27-28K (PT, 0.6) - to research funders and schools.

Both roles close 27 May 2025.

firststory.org.uk/vacancies/

1 2

First Story @firststory.bsky.social · May 8

We are recruiting:

Programmes and Partnerships Manager London £29-30K, (FT/0.8) - to ensure the programme is delivered at a high level to existing and new schools.

Partnerships Officer £27-28K (PT, 0.6) - to research funders and schools.

Both roles close 27 May 2025.

firststory.org.uk/vacancies/

4 4

First Story @firststory.bsky.social · May 1

The winners of our 100 Word Story Competition 2024/25

⭐1st Mission accomplished by Charlie, Co-op Academy Stoke-on-Trent
⭐2nd The Sky by Ahmed, Co-op Academy Stoke-on-Trent
⭐3rd Like It Was Once by Sara Alexandra, Holland Park School

Thanks to Vintage for judging.
firststory.org.uk/100-word-sto...

1

Reposted by First Story

St Paul’s Way Library @spwlibrary.bsky.social · Apr 2

Amazing day in Cambridge with @firststory.bsky.social today! Big thanks to everyone involved!

1 3

Reposted by First Story

Chris Seddon @chrisseddon.bsky.social · Apr 2

Spring is Springing it's little heart out today. Another year photographing the incredible First Story (@firststory.bsky.social) Young Writers Festival. It's at Newnham College, Cambridge this year. A bit special.

1 3

First Story @firststory.bsky.social · Mar 28

✨Announcing a new First Story programme for Summer 2025: Your Voice✨

Your Voice will help secondary schools to provide creative & personal development opportunities for KS3.

Includes
✨3 x in-school workshops
✨Tickets to a First Story Young Writers event

Find out more firststory.org.uk/your-voice/

Image of three young people in school uniform, sat at round tables in a school library. They are smiling and there are sheets of paper on the tables in front of them. The words above and below the image read First Story Your Voice A new programme for Summer 20205 Creative and personal development opportunities for Key Stage 3.

First Story @firststory.bsky.social · Mar 28

Hurrah Adam and the young writers @spwlibrary.bsky.social 💫

1

First Story @firststory.bsky.social · Feb 20

We are currently seeking an Operations Assistant (£26-27K, full time, hybrid 3-4 days in our London office).

This is a key role, providing support to our operations and the programmes we deliver across our regions.

More info and to apply: firststory.org.uk/vacancies/

Closes: Monday 17 March

4 7

First Story @firststory.bsky.social · Feb 17

If you completed a First Story programme let us know and we'll add you to our alumni mailing list. Please be in touch with our Communications and Marketing Manager Annette: [email protected]

First Story @firststory.bsky.social · Feb 17

Entries are open for the Philip Pyke Memorial Prize, an award for First Story Alumni aged 18+, supported by Sharanne Basham-Pyke & @arvonfoundation.bsky.social

Here's 2024 winner Emily Freeman on what winning meant: youtube.com/shorts/jjejM...

Closes 14 April
firststory.org.uk/philip-pyke-...

Philip Pyke Memorial Prize 2024 winner Emily Freeman

YouTube video by First Story

youtube.com

1 2 5

Reposted by First Story

Rose Condo @rose-condo-poet.bsky.social · Feb 14

Super duper delighted to share that I’ve started a new role as the Young Creatives Manager with @firststory.bsky.social!

Enormous thanks to the team for such a warm welcome this week. I'm so excited for the projects that lie ahead!

1 2 7

First Story @firststory.bsky.social · Feb 14

Huge FS welcome Rose! 💫

2

First Story @firststory.bsky.social · Feb 3

We are seeking a paid Assistant Festival Producer Intern to help produce our first festival in Manchester. Gain an overview of event production & youth engagement. Postholder should be 18-25 and live in Greater Manchester/bale to get there easily. Closes: 17 February. firststory.org.uk/vacancies/

3 5

Reposted by First Story

Bruce Wiggins @brucewiggins.bsky.social · Feb 3

Come and see Tilly perform at Verve Poetry Festival Youth Takeover @vervepoetryfest.bsky.social @firststory.bsky.social

firststory.org.uk/lives-change...

Tilly's Story | First Story

First Story alumni, in their own words, tell us about their experience of taking part in our programme and its impact.

firststory.org.uk

1 2 3

First Story @firststory.bsky.social · Jan 23

Congratulations to the winners of our 24/25 Six Word Story Competition judged by a panel from Penguin Random House.

1st Blake, Titus Salt School

2nd Kevarni, @haringeylp.bsky.social

3rd Sarah, Holland Park School

firststory.org.uk/six-word-sto...

2 3

Reposted by First Story

Children's Books North Network @cbnnetwork.bsky.social · Jan 17

Manchester City of Literature have recently put together a literary walking trail throughout the city, be sure to check this out when you’re next visiting Manchester! A fantastic idea 🐝📚

4 11

Reposted by First Story

South Warwickshire Literary Festival @southwarkslitfest.bsky.social · Jan 15

16 days left #writers! And look - they donate to this amazing #charity @firststory.bsky.social - England's leading #creative #writing charity for young people. What an #inspiring prompt to encourage us to enter! @karenstoreyauthor.bsky.social @shortstorycomps.bsky.social @davemusson.bsky.social 🙏✍️

New Writers @newwritersuk.bsky.social · Nov 8

The New Writing Flash Fiction Competition 2025 is open for entries: newwriters.org.uk/flash-fictio...

- Top prize: £1,100
- Head Judge: Shreya Sen-Handley (@shreyasenhan on Insta)
- Donating £1 from each entry to the brilliant creative writing charity First Story

#flashfiction #writingcommunity

New Writers Flash Fiction Competition 2025

1 4

First Story @firststory.bsky.social · Jan 13

We are currently seeking a paid Publishing Intern to work with our Editorial & Production Manager on our anthologies production. The postholder should be aged 18-25. Candidates based in the North West, Yorkshire, East Mids will be given priority. Closes: 27 January 2025. firststory.org.uk/vacancies/

9 6