Paid opportunity for writers and workshop facilitators
There are stories all around Burnley that haven’t been told yet.
Burnley ViewPoint is a volunteer-led magazine created by Burnley Words Festival, sharing the stories, people and places that make Burnley what it is.
As part of our Spacehive-funded 10 Hidden Stories of Burnley project, we’re looking for experienced writers and workshop facilitators to help people turn their experiences, knowledge and ideas into stories that could be shared through Burnley ViewPoint.
We’re looking to commission 3–4 practical, accessible writing workshops, aimed at people with a range of writing experience — from those who already write regularly, but perhaps mainly fiction, to people who have a story to tell but haven’t written it down before.
What could the workshops cover?
We’re open to your ideas, but we’re particularly interested in workshops that help participants develop practical skills in short-form non-fiction.
This could include:
- Turning an interview into an article – how to interview someone and shape the conversation into an engaging piece of writing.
- Writing your own story – exploring autobiographical or personal writing and turning lived experience into a compelling short piece.
- Finding and writing the story – an accessible introduction to non-fiction writing for people who have a story to tell but aren’t sure where to start.
- Developing your non-fiction writing – a more advanced session for writers who want to develop their skills beyond fiction.
These are suggestions rather than a fixed programme. We’d love to hear your ideas.
You can submit more than one workshop idea if you have several sessions that you think would be a good fit.
We’re not necessarily looking for one person to deliver all 3–4 workshops. We may commission different facilitators to create a varied programme, depending on the ideas and experience we receive.
Practical and accessible
We’re not expecting participants to become journalists in a couple of hours!
Instead, we want each workshop to give people the practical skills and confidence to take the next step towards submitting a story to Burnley ViewPoint.
Workshops should be hands-on, supportive and accessible. Participants should have the opportunity to try out the skills during the session, rather than simply listening to a presentation.
By the end, we’d like participants to feel:
“I have a story to tell, and I know how to start writing it.”
Who are we looking for?
We’re interested in hearing from writers and facilitators with professional experience in areas such as:
- Journalism and feature writing
- Creative non-fiction
- Autobiographical or memoir writing
- Interviewing and oral history
- Community journalism
- Writing about people, places and communities
Previous experience of delivering writing workshops or working with community groups is highly desirable.
We’re particularly interested in people who can make writing feel possible, practical and enjoyable, rather than intimidating.
The opportunity
- 3–4 workshops will be commissioned
- Each workshop will last approximately 90 minutes–2 hours
- Maximum 10 participants per session
- Workshops will primarily take place in person in Burnley, although online delivery may be possible
- £250 per workshop, inclusive of expenses
- Workshops will be free for participants
We’re working to a tight project deadline, so availability is important. Facilitators must be able to deliver their workshop before the end of 2026.
There may also be opportunities to work with Burnley ViewPoint and Burnley Words Festival on future workshops and writing projects.
How to apply
We’d like to keep the application process straightforward.
For each workshop idea, please send us:
1. Workshop title
The proposed title of your workshop.
2. Short workshop blurb
A short description of the workshop that could be used to market the session to participants.
3. About you
A short introduction to you as a writer, including your writing experience and any relevant professional work.
4. Relevant experience
Please tell us about any relevant experience delivering workshops, working with participants or communities, or teaching writing/non-fiction skills.
If you are submitting more than one workshop idea, you can include multiple proposals in the same application.
You don’t need to provide a full workshop plan or detailed session breakdown at this stage.
Please also include a link to your website, portfolio or examples of your writing where relevant.
We want the application process to be accessible. If you’d prefer to submit your application in an alternative format, such as a voice note or conversation, or if you need any adjustments, please get in touch.
Fee: £250 per workshop, inclusive of expenses.
Please note: availability to deliver the workshop before the end of 2026 is essential.
Deadline for applications: 10am on Monday 19th October 2026
To apply: email Stephie Jessop [email protected]
Questions? If you’d like to discuss the opportunity or have any questions before applying, please get in touch with Stephie via email or by calling 01254 674 777. I’m happy to have an informal chat about your idea or whether the opportunity might be a good fit.
Please note that I work part-time, so I may not always be able to respond immediately. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.
Burnley ViewPoint’s 10 Hidden Stories of Burnley project is funded by Lancashire County Council and our community backers through our Spacehive campaign and aims to uncover and share some of the stories that make Burnley and its communities unique.
