The Federation of Worker Writers & Community Publishers

This is a temporary site while we put our full site back together and learn a new programme!

•    The FWWCP was formed in 1976 and have Member groups and organisations around the World.  They share a belief that writing and publishing should be made accessible to all.

•    The FWWCP publishes Federation Magazine and a Broadsheet, which includes writing by members and friends. We run an annual Festival of Writing, organise training, develop networks, and encourage people to express themselves.

•    The FWWCP is open to all organisations working with words and language

Our aims are:

•    To create and support a national community of writers and publishers.

•    To offer people greater access to developing skills in participatory writing and publishing activities.

•    To encourage people to be heard and read, and  write and read creatively,  especially those who may be socially excluded.

The FWWCP has established itself as a voice for community writing and publishing. Our members are self-running organisations – a mixture of writers’ workshops, community publishers, community-based writers’ groups, adult literacy organisations, and literature development organisations, both in Britain and abroad. 

Our membership meet the needs of the particular community they represent. A broad range of work is carried out: groups may produce publications, perform, develop and share skills, offer creative and critical support to their members. Many member groups enable people to take an active role in their communities by carrying out oral and life history projects. 

Member organisations share a number of common characteristics, which include:

•    Making writing and publishing accessible to people

•    Publishing work by and for particular communities

•    A desire to develop writing within the community

•    Offering support to groups and individuals in their writing development

•    Distributing and promoting work through publishing and performance

•    Encouraging people to take an active, co-operative and democratic role in writing, performing, and publishing.

•    Enabling marginalised groups express themselves through writing, performing and publishing.

•    A commitment to equal opportunities. 
 
 

The main aim of The FWWCP is to increase access to writing and publishing, especially for those who may sometimes find it difficult to be heard in our society. Our activities, services and projects work towards this central aim. 

We develop participation in the arts and cultural activities, building on people’s creative potential, through:

•    An annual Festival of Writing, which enables people from around the country and abroad to meet, share skills, perform, and develop networks. In 2003 our Festival will be at The University of Sheffield.

•    Publication Federation Magazine,  a regular Broadsheet of writing from members, and running the FWWCP Website. If you wish to have your writing considered for Federation Magazine or Broadsheet send it to thefwwcp@tiscali.co.uk

•    Regular creative writing events and performances, which support networking - the FWWCP facilitates the development of regional, national, and international networks, in order to share experiences and skills across communities.

•    Programmes of training in organisational and management skills, ranging from weekend courses to longer-term projects. 

•    Advice, information and practical support (such as visits from FWWCP staff) where possible and appropriate.

•    Liaison with appropriate national organisations on behalf of our members, and the development of International partnerships - representatives of the FWWCP have performed and worked with schools, writing groups and organisations in the USA, Germany, France, and Canada.

Management

The FWWCP’s co-operative approach values the full participation of our members, including those often without a voice such as survivors, or people with different abilities. The FWWCP has worked with and on behalf of its membership to develop policies which enable the developing of skills to play a full part in decision-making. 

Decisions at all levels are made through democratic methods, with the Membership’s needs and development leading the artistic and strategic policies. The FWWCP has an eleven person Executive Committee reflecting the geographical spread of the membership in Britain. 
 
 

There are four kinds of Membership open to groups and organisations.

Full Membership is for established writing groups, community publishers, organisations and performing groups.  Full Members have votes at the AGM and can nominate Executive Committee members.

Associate Membership is for groups  who are unable to attend the AGM (e.g. a hospital based group or abroad).

First Chapter Membership offers groups the opportunity to ‘try us’ for a year. There is a 25% reduction on the fees.

Reciprocal Membership is for organisations who have similar aims to The Fed, but are working in another form of the arts, or  community activity.

Membership costs £40 for funded organisations and £20 for unfunded, paid annually. Individuals can become Friends of the Fed  who support the FWWCP through regular donations.

If you are interested in joining e-mail us thefwwcp@tiscali.co.uk

We are funded through annual grants from The Arts Council of England, plus grants from trusts and foundations. We also receive grants for events and projects from many of the Regional Arts Boards, the Scottish and Welsh Arts Councils, and some local authorities. In 2001 we completed a 3 year training project funded by the National Lottery Community Fund. 

Our postal address is: 

The FWWCP,  Burslem School of  Art, Queen Street, Stoke-on-Trent ST6 3EJ, UK