Writing Our Legacy’s Species Stories commission, in partnership with South Downs National Park Authority

Writing Our Legacy


Job Summary

Writing Our Legacy and the South Downs National Park Authority are seeking to commission 6 writers to produce a creative response inspired by a priority species for the South Downs landscape, with the key species drawn from bees, bats, birds and butterflies, worth over £3000.

Job Description

In partnership with South Downs National Park Authority, we’re offering a paid creative opportunity for six BPOC writers who are signed up to our https://writingourlegacy.org.uk/our-network/join-the-network/ – free membership scheme.

Each writer will receive a £2,000 fee, plus:

  • Up to £100 for travel/consumables
  • Up to £1,000 for digital production costs
  • Optional access/development support of up to £500

A mentoring session from one of our brilliant team of writers (Tammye Huf, Elaine Chiew, Katy Massey, Zita Holbourne FRSA, Umi Sinha or Jasmin Qureshi)

What’s it about?
You’ll create a short poetic (or similar) written work in response to a priority species from the South Downs, including bees, bats, birds, or butterflies. Your writing will inspire children in local schools to try creative writing through a new school competition.

With support like species fact sheets, writing prompts, images, and film, students will be guided to create their own work. The winning school will receive a prize to help “renature the classroom.”

Your writing and associated digital output will also be used by Writing Our Legacy and the South Downs National Park Authority in campaigns, educational resources and public storytelling, encouraging action for nature and creative connection with the natural world.

You’ll also be invited to a Knowledge Exchange day with experts in nature recovery and biodiversity on Tuesday, 22 July at Seven Sisters Country Park. Please make sure you can attend this session when applying.

Please note, work will need to be produced in a strict timeframe as follows: in 6 weeks (Mon 21 July – Mon 1 Sept) for the original creative writing and 13 weeks (1 September – 30 November) for the digital output.

Deadline to apply: Friday, 11 July 2025, 9:00 am
https://writingourlegacy.org.uk/whatwedo/writing-our-legacys-species-stories-commission-in-partnership-with-south-downs-national-park-authority/ – Read all info and + link to apply

Job Requirements

This is an exciting but fast-paced opportunity for a BPOC writer to respond to a creative commission. It’s important that you can work to a deadline and to a high standard. However, please be assured that you will be supported all along the way to accomplish this, with regular check-ins, support from Writing Our Legacy, and advice and support from South Downs National Park staff.

Applicants must be Black*, Asian or ethnically diverse writers and live in the South East of England, including Hampshire. We will accept writers in other parts of England, providing there is good rationale presented for their proposal and the in-person Knowledge Exchange meeting is attended. Applicants must be at least 18 years old.

Job Overview

  • Job Title: Writing Our Legacy’s Species Stories commission, in partnership with South Downs National Park Authority
  • Salary: Under £10K
  • Hours:
    Full time
  • Artform: Literature
  • Role: Creative
  • Contract: Temporary
  • Closing date: Fri, 11 Jul 2025

  • Location:

    South East

Apply now
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