In memory of tutor Kevin Jackson, we are raising £25,000 to bring state school students on Arvon's creative writing residential weeks.
About Kevin Jackson and Arvon
As well as being a brilliant scholar, Kevin was also a wonderful teacher. Always engaging and approachable, his impact on those he taught was often life-changing. One of his happiest times was tutoring creative writing for a group of state school students at The Hurst, Arvon's Shropshire writing house, in 2011.
Following Kevin's passing in 2021, the Kevin Jackson Award was established in his name to bring a group of state school children to Arvon. The initial funding came from his estate and other donations, especially from Claire Preston, to whom Arvon is deeply grateful. The Award significantly contributed to the costs of tutoring, accommodation, travel and much more for a group of young writers in 2022, who variously described their residential week as "amazing", "joyful", and "the best week of our lives".
The aim is to continue the Kevin Jackson Award for future generations. For this, we need your help. £25,000 would give two groups of disadvantaged state school children the transformative experience of a week at Arvon.
About Arvon and the Schools Programme
"Much of our education system militates against creativity; productivity and targets are seen to be the overriding priorities. All the more important then that schools come to Arvon, for they will experience an oasis - a calm yet an intensity that will help each child find a writing voice… It should be part of every young person’s education.” - Award-winning children's author Sir Michael Morpurgo
Arvon is the UK’s leading creative writing charity. We produce residential, community-based and online writing courses tutored by professional writers, reaching over 7,000 people annually. Booker Prize-winner Bernardine Evaristo describes Arvon as "one of the most important literature development organisations in Britain."
Bringing the transformative power of creative writing to young people has been central to Arvon's mission since its inception in 1968. Our residential Schools Programme brings over 400 state school students a year from all over the country to our inspiring countryside writing houses. More recently, our digital offering, Arvon at Home has reached hundreds more young people since its launch in 2020.
Arvon residentials allow young people to discover the joys of creative writing. Living together as a close-knit writing community, students take part in workshops with, and receive one-to-one feedback from, established authors. The weeks can be life-changing, inspiring a love of reading and writing, increasing confidence and wellbeing, and strengthening young people's social skills and friendships.
“Before I hated writing, now all I want to do is write.” - Student from Birmingham, 2021/2
“The tutors helped me realise that we are all unique and each storyline is just as unique.” – Student from London, 2021/2
“[The] house environment was so gorgeous, staff were friendly and supportive, tutors are amazing – warm, inspiring, encouraging – everything I want in tutors for young people.” – Teacher, 2021/2
This project successfully funded on 16th December 2022