Our Mission and Values
Words are powerful. They can change minds, hearts and lives. Word Up North’s mission is to raise up writers in the north, foster a love of reading and writing within individuals and communities, and use the power of the written and spoken word to create positive change.
We achieve this by:
- Producing vibrant, entertaining and thought-provoking live and online literature events. Individuals and communities living in the north of England are able to hear, learn from, and engage with contemporary writers and artists.
- Support writers of all career stages in their professional development, taking care to ensure opportunities are provided to writers from backgrounds which are underrepresented within the literature sector. We will provide writers with networks for collaboration, opportunities to hone their skills, and platforms to present their work and reach new audiences.
- Deliver inspiring, relevant cultural and educational experiences to our local communities, strengthening connections, deepening belonging, and raising aspirations.
- Encourage a love of words and stories within children and young people, stimulating their creativity and enthusiasm through diverse reading and writing
In addition, across all areas of our work, we aim to:
- Partner with local and national organisations on initiatives that will create lasting change for people living in the north.
- Ensure all our activity is sustainable, inclusive, diverse, and accessible.