Coram Voice is excited to announce the return of ‘Voices’, its national writing
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competition for children in care and young care leavers, for a third year running. The competition is open for entries until 8 February 2018.
Coram Voice, a charity that provides a range of services for children and young people in and around the care system, first launched the competition in 2016 as a platform for care-experienced young people to express their creative talents and to celebrate their voices.
Research conducted with previous Voices shortlisted entrants found that participation in
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the competition had inspired them to write more, allowed them to be recognised for their talents and for some, even helped them to come to terms with being in care.*
The theme of this year’s competition is ‘Who or What Makes You Proud’ and entries can be submitted online at
coramvoice.org.uk/voices18 in any written form including poems, short stories, raps and newspaper articles with a 500 word limit. The competition is grouped in four age categories: primary school, lower secondary school (age 11-14), upper secondary school (age 15-18) and care leavers.
The entries for Voices 2018 will be judged by a panel of experts, each with personal experience of, or a special interest in the care system including:
- Jackie Long, Social Affairs Editor for Channel 4 News
- Lucy Spraggan, singer-songwriter, and newly approved foster carer
- Ashley John-Baptiste, BBC reporter and producer
- Jenny Molloy, author of ‘Hackney Child’
- Mr Gee, spoken word artist
- Lola Jaye, author of ‘Orphan Sisters’
- Lisa Cherry, author of ‘The Brightness of Stars’
- Dreadlock Alien, slam and performance poet
The winner of each category will receive a tablet** and £100 shopping vouchers, and will be announced by the judges at an awards ceremony in London on 9 April 2018.
“I know that storytelling is one of the most powerful ways we can understand each other’s unique experiences. That’s why I am so pleased to judge Voices 2018, a competition that amplifies the voices of young people in the care system and gives them a platform to tell the world their stories. I can’t wait to read what they produce and celebrate their achievements.”
One of the judges, Lola Jaye commented: “I know that storytelling is one of the most powerful ways we can understand each other’s unique experiences. That’s why I am so pleased to judge Voices 2018, a competition that amplifies the voices of young people in the care system and gives them a platform to tell the world their stories. I can’t wait to read what they produce and celebrate their achievements.”
One young person who previously entered Voices said: “The competition is a safe opportunity to share your personal story – it’s a wonderful way to embrace your history and yourself” and another added “to put what you feel on a piece of paper is quite therapeutic.”
Another previous entrant commented: “It can be the start of a journey… it opens up new opportunities and also shows people the potential you have.”
Voices 2018 is open for entries until 8 February 2018. For more information about the competition and how to enter, please visit
coramvoice.org.uk/voices18.
For further information and T&Cs go to
coramvoice.org.uk/voices18
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