Addressing Social Challenges through Creative Writing for Youth

With a grant of NOK 3 million, Kavli Trust continues its support to New Writing North in North East England. The organisation uses creative writing to help children and young people express their thoughts and ideas, promoting mental health and wellbeing.

The funding from the foundation goes to the North East Young Writers programme, a two-year project designed to introduce young people who rarely have access to cultural activities to creative writing.

The programme’s activities are developed to help strengthen participants’ self-esteem, mental health, and future opportunities. It is run in collaboration with five selected schools in areas of North East England particularly affected by poverty and social challenges.

Increased confidence and school engagement

Kavli Trust has previously worked with New Writing North to spread creative writing programmes to children and young people. Between 2018 and 2023, over 3,000 children and young people participated in the Young Writers programme, where they explored creative writing and developed their own artistic voice in a variety of genres, including poetry, rap, podcasts, and scriptwriting, supported by professional writers.

Evaluations showed that the programme helped participants build confidence, engage more at school, and believe more in their own abilities.

The decision to continue support for New Writing North and their youth writing programme is based on the positive results of previous collaborations and aligns with Kavli Trust’s aim to support projects that strengthen children and young people’s mental health.

“We are proud to help continue the spread of a programme that combines artistic development with social inclusion,” says Ingrid Paasche, CEO of Kavli Trust.

Giving back to the community

“By providing young people with valuable tools for personal development and professional growth, New Writing North demonstrates how culture can improve mental health and wellbeing and create lasting opportunities for young people,” says Paasche.

Kavli Trust owns and distributes all profits from the Kavli Group to charitable causes. Seventy percent of the funds go to projects in the three countries where Kavli has production: Norway, Sweden, and the UK. In North East England, Kavli UK produces the well-known Primula spreadable cheese. The foundation therefore supports a number of charitable initiatives in the region.

“Through supporting North East Young Writers, Kavli Trust aims to promote positive social development in North East England, giving back where value is created,” Paasche adds.

Facts about New Writing North

• New Writing North is a centre of expertise for creative writing and reading, based in North East England.
• The organisation has over 20 years of experience collaborating with schools and local communities.
• Its programmes are designed to build lasting relationships of trust between participants and staff and give young people many opportunities to express themselves creatively.
• New Writing North collaborates with regional and national partners on a range of literary activities and events, such as the Northern Writers’ Awards, the Gordon Burn Prize, Read Regional, New Writing North Young Writers, and Durham Book Festival.
• Kavli Trust has worked with New Writing North since 2018. Support from the Trust has already allowed over 3,000 children and young people in North East England to take part in various writing programmes and activities.
• The NOK 3 million grant in 2025 will help expand the North East Young Writers programme to new areas in North East England.
• The programme integrates writing as a tool for mental health and wellbeing while creating platforms for young people to express their thoughts and ideas.