Hello Team!

I’m Shannon, a working-class creative who has worked professionally for over 10 years across both theatre and screen. Storytelling is something that has always felt rooted in me.

I’ve recently been offered a place on the NFTS John Yorke Writers’ Academy, a huge step in my creative development, and one I am determined to take. However, without additional financial support, I will not be able to afford the remaining course fees.

Although NFTS have kindly offered a bursary covering 60% of the cost, I am still required to pay £500 by this Sunday and a further £1,500 by the end of the course. I simply do not have the resources to

meet these costs. I’ve worked hard to invest in myself wherever I can, but full-time creative training has always felt just out of reach financially.

The application and interview process for this course felt like a breakthrough. Holding my own in that space was a moment I’ll always be proud of. It felt like real recognition. To then be offered a place felt like validation that I do belong in this industry. It would be heartbreaking to walk away from that because of something as systemic as money.

I’ve never had the luxury of building a creative career through formal institutions. Instead, I’ve carved a path through persistence, collaboration, and creating work wherever possible. I

recently took part in DE-MYS-TIFY, a brilliant initiative for creatives from low socio-economic backgrounds. We collaborated with industry professionals and began shaping the kind of

stories I know I’m meant to tell. My voice as a writer is rooted in truth, emotional complexity and a desire to make space for female and working-class experiences that are rarely centred on screen.

Representation in this industry remains staggeringly unequal. Fewer than 8% of

screenwriters come from working-class backgrounds and even fewer are women, a discussion few are ready to have.

For a long time, that made me feel like I didn’t belong, or that I didn’t have the right to tell stories. That has changed. I now understand the power and

value of my perspective, and I want to contribute to changing the narrative both on-screen and behind the scenes. But that requires access. Training. Support. Opportunities like this one.

The John Yorke Writers’ Academy would allow me to deepen my craft, gain structure, develop pitching skills, and learn to lead in a writer’s room all within a high-level, industry-facing environment. I know I will emerge more confident, capable, and equipped to step into

professional spaces I’ve long been excluded from.

I’ve applied for every creative grant I can find but with the looming time pressure I turn to you guys.

If you are able to offer any support, share this page and help me reach the costs asked of me I would be very grateful.

I believe I could be a very important part of this change.