+44 (0) 1273 386849UK National Writing Day 2026: Helping Young People Find Their Creative Voice
National Writing Day returns on 24 June 2026, helping everyone celebrate writing in all its forms. Established by First Story in 2017, the day was created to encourage young people to write for enjoyment and to recognise the value of creative expression.
Nearly a decade later, the message remains as relevant as ever, although perhaps the conversation has changed. The question is not whether young people are creative. The question is whether we recognise all the different ways creativity is expressed. That is one reason National Writing Day remains so important.
What follows is an exploration of what the latest writing research tells us about young people, together with some practical ideas to help your library become a hub for creativity this National Writing Day.
What the Latest Writing Research Tells Us
Recent research from the National Literacy Trust found that fewer children and young people say they enjoy writing in their free time. At first glance, that might seem concerning. Yet anyone working with young people knows the picture is more complicated than that.
When many people hear the word “writing”, they think of traditional classroom-led essays. But this is only part of the picture. Students are creating all the time. They are building worlds, developing characters, scripting vodcasts, writing fan fiction, and collaborating with friends in digital spaces.
Interestingly, while technology continues to influence how we communicate, there is also renewed interest in the value of handwriting. Research continues to explore the relationship between writing by hand, memory and learning, whilst many young people still enjoy journalling, sketchbooks and creative notebooks as a way of developing and recording ideas.
Is an AI prompt a form of writing in its own right? Whether students are experimenting with digital storytelling tools, creating multimedia projects or exploring AI-generated content, they are still engaging with the same fundamental process: imagining something that did not exist before and finding a way to share it with others.
The tools change but the desire to create does not.
National Writing Day Ideas for School Libraries
School libraries have always played a role in supporting young writers. Books offer a new perspective or a new possibility. Every display, review, and conversation has the potential to spark an idea. Before a student writes their own story, they often discover someone else’s.
National Writing Day provides an opportunity to make that connection more visible. Here are three ways you can help.
Use your school Library Management System to inspire creativity
One simple approach is to create themed collections around writing, storytelling and creativity. This does not need to focus solely on books about writing. Graphic novels, poetry collections, plays, journalism, comics and short stories all offer inspiration in different ways.
Libraries using a management system such as the Simple Little Library System can make use of curated collections, featured resources and catalogue widgets to keep National Writing Day visible throughout June.
Consider featuring:
- A themed National Writing Day catalogue page
- A collection of recommended reads for aspiring writers
- A daily writing prompt
- A showcase of student-created content
Collections can also be built around current issues, trends, events or topics that resonate with students. These resources can remain available long after National Writing Day itself, helping young people discover new forms of creative expression throughout the year.
Create opportunities to participate
Inspiration is important, but students also need opportunities to put ideas into practice.
National Writing Day does not need to revolve around competitions or large-scale events. Often, the most effective activities are the simplest. A prompt wall, a display of works in progress or a dedicated corner for journalling, sketching and creative writing can all give students permission to experiment and explore ideas without pressure.
From there, libraries can build opportunities for participation. Writing challenges, collaborative storytelling projects, author visits, and student-led activities encourage young people to try different forms of expression and discover what resonates with them.
Writing is often thought of as a private activity, yet many forms of writing are designed to be shared. Spoken-word performances, dramatic readings, debates, storytelling sessions and open-mic events allow students to experience writing as something social and collaborative.
Be the space to showcase student voices
National Writing Day is also an opportunity to celebrate the creativity already present within your school community.
Reviews, recommendations, creative responses, competition entries and student writing can all be highlighted through displays, newsletters and library catalogue features. A dedicated showcase helps students see that their ideas have value and that writing is something worth sharing.
The aim is not to tell students how to write. It is to help them discover ideas worth writing about – and find meaningful ways to share those ideas with others.
National Writing Day Resources for School Libraries
Schools librarians looking for inspiration can find a range of resources through the National Writing Day campaign, including writing prompts, activities and classroom ideas. The BBC, National Literacy Trust, First Story, and Reading Agency provide research and practical guidance on writing for enjoyment.
Closer to home, your own library shelves may already contain some of the best resources available.
National Writing Day can also be an opportunity to draw attention to student-created content. Whether through displays, showcases, reviews or performances, celebrating the work of young people sends a powerful message: creativity belongs to everyone.
A Day Worth Celebrating is Worth Writing About!
National Writing Day is ultimately a celebration of imagination.
It reminds us that writing is not confined to exercise books, curricula, exams or formal assignments. It lives in stories, conversations, performances, journals, scripts, sketches and ideas still waiting to take shape.
School libraries are uniquely placed to support that process. They connect young people with stories, provide access to inspiration and create spaces where creativity can flourish. In a world filled with opportunities to consume content, helping young people create something of their own remains one of the most valuable things we can do.
National Writing Day is a chance to celebrate that creativity and to remind every student that their voice deserves to be heard.
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