The Writing Squad provides workshops, 1-1 support and investment for young writers. Their free two year programme is for writers aged 16-22 who live, work or study in the North of England.

After that The Writing Squad continues to offer their writers support as they begin their careers helping them establish themselves as individual artists, collectives and start up companies whilst linking writers and activists with the literature industry and independent sector, while encouraging them to produce and distribute work themselves.

The Writing Squad has worked with over 300 writers since 2001.  At the last count, 20% make their living as writers or in the cultural industries, a further 28% are beginning to make a name for themselves and/or earn some of their living as published, performed or produced writers and activists. In April 2025 they recruited another 31 writers and will be recruiting their next cohort in January 2027