'Home and Belonging' Creative Writing Project Toolkits
Published: Thursday, March 26, 2026
Adoption East Midlands is working with local author, comedian and spoken word artist Jay Sandhu to launch a creative writing project exploring the themes of home and belonging.
The project invites children and young adults to reflect on questions such as: What does it mean to belong? What makes a home? Through creative writing and spoken word, participants are encouraged to explore these ideas while developing their own creative talents.
This community-driven initiative aims to encourage meaningful conversations about the many different forms that homes and families can take and what belonging can mean to an individual.
Get Your Creative Writing Toolkits Here
Adoption East Midlands are providing downloadable creative writing toolkits focused on the themes of home and belonging.
These resources are designed to help teachers, home educators, and youth group leaders deliver creative writing activities and support children in developing their own creative writing work. The toolkits also provide opportunities to learn about adoption and fostering.
Schools, home educators and youth group leaders are encouraged to use the toolkits to inspire students to submit entries to the Adoption East Midlands’ Creative Writing Project.
For Key Stage Two (ages 7 to 11) creative writing toolkit download.
For Key Stage Three (ages 11 to 14) creative writing toolkit download.
For Key Stage Four (ages 14 to 16) creative writing toolkit download.
Submit Your Entry to the Adoption East Midlands’ Creative Writing Project
Young people aged under 25 are invited to submit creative work exploring the themes of home and belonging for Adoption East Midlands’ Creative Writing Project.
Accepted formats:
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Poetry
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Fiction
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Spoken word recordings
Submission guidelines:
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Maximum 1,000 words
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Submit as a Word document
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Subject line: “Home and Belonging Submission”
Submission deadline: 18 May 2026
All writers who submit a piece will be invited to an online launch party in June, where they will have the opportunity to perform their work to a live audience. Everybody is welcome to come and celebrate.
‘Home and Belonging’ Poetry and Fiction Booklet
Selected pieces from the online creative writing project will be included in a special booklet titled “The Book of Belonging.”
The publication will be produced by Nott Another and launched at the Nottingham Poetry Festival in June, with a further launch planned at the Derby Poetry Festival later in the year.
Writers selected for the booklet will:
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Be invited to perform their work at the festival events
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Receive a complimentary copy of the booklet
The booklet will also be available online and in local East Midlands bookshops.
A portion of the proceeds will support the charity Breaks for Families.
Get in Touch
If you have any questions about the home project, please contact:
Email: enquiries@adoptioneastmidlands.nottscc.gov.uk
The team at Adoption East Midlands will be happy to help.
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