Volunteer with the Orwell Youth Prize!
The Orwell Youth Prize is an annual writing Prize for young people in secondary school years 7-13, using the writing of George Orwell to encourage entrants to think and write about the world they live in.
The work of our volunteers is what makes The Orwell Youth Prize unique. More than just a prize, we offer all entrants free, personalised feedback on a first draft.
Our Prize opens at the end of September but most of the reading work will take place from November-May.
We ask volunteers to commit to providing feedback on a minimum of 6 entries (feedback takes approx 45 minutes per entry). We particularly welcome volunteers who are happy to read across a range of forms, including stories, essays, articles, poems and scripts, as entrants can submit writing in any form. However, if there are particular forms you would prefer to focus on, we can also tailor a volunteering opportunity around this.
In April-May, we also have an opportunity for volunteers to read and assess submissions for our shortlist, which is sent to our judges. Time commitment for this could go from 1-5 hours, over a couple of weeks.
We welcome volunteers to apply for either or both reading opportunities. For more information about our volunteering programme, please email the Orwell Youth Prize Programme Manager at tabby.hayward@orwellfoundation.com
We offer a fully remote, flexible volunteering opportunity to read for the Orwell Youth Prize, committing to a minimum of 4 hours. Throughout the process, Orwell Foundation staff are always on hand to support if you run into any difficulties. You'll be reading a wide range of creative writing pieces from young people of a range of ages, backgrounds and abilities, learning more about their ideas, concerns and hopes for the world today. Most importantly, the work you do will make a real difference to young people throughout the UK.
We know the importance of constructive, encouraging feedback in developing writing skills. We also know that not every young person has the support networks in place to get this. The work our volunteers do providing feedback aims to level the playing field.
One of our volunteers in 2022 said of the experience: “I think my work was a small part of something big…I would definitely recommend it. It’s a very rewarding experience. It allows you to contribute to something great, which will make you feel good about yourself."
And one of our entrants said: “I was not expecting this much individual care and attention to have gone into providing feedback for my piece, and so to receive such wonderful advice is so, so lovely and has made me feel really encouraged to keep writing!”
- How to provide feedback for a young person which is clear, kind, encouaging and helpful.
- Improve written communication skills.
- How to read for a competition - key things to look out for and how to summarise your opinions clearly and succinctly.
- You will read a wide range of young people's writing, across a number of forms, and get to hear their concerns and ideas about the world today.
- Interest in and enthusiasm for literature
- Interest in developing young people's writing skills
- Clear communication skills
- Careful and thoughtful reading skills
- Ideally - a background in literature and/or the humanities
- Not essential - experience working with young people and/or experience reading for a writing prize.
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