The door of opportunity has to be opened a little wider to allow for disabled access
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Writers' first Access Group launched in 2018. The programme is part of the wider Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's commitment to reflecting the experiences of the UK’s diverse communities in its output and in order to get more realistic and more authentic portrayals of disabled people on air, as well as interesting and complex views from the disabled community. Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Writers' Access Group is backed by Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Content and Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Drama Commissioning.
For the first two iterations of the group Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Writers worked in partnership with a number of organisations and practitioners in the field to identify potential members. The writers were then selected on the merit of their scripts, their experience and via an interview process. For the third Writers' Access Group writers have been selected via an open callout for submissions which took place in early 2023.
The group meets regularly (in real life or online), for a programme of masterclasses in such things as story and structure, pitching and treatments, alongside hosting talks from A-list writers, script-editors, Executive Producers and Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Commissioners. They are given introductions to Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Continuing Drama, Radio, Comedy, CΒι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ and CBeebies. Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Writers provides professional, freelance script-editing support to enable the writers to develop a Drama or Comedy/Drama 'calling card' script, so they can take the next step into authored TV or Radio work. The writers are also introduced to independent producers and production companies, as well as agents and commissioners.
The aim for the group is to achieve professional development, deeper knowledge of the industry and contacts to put the writers in the best possible place to take the next step in their career.
![Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Writers Access Group logo](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/400xn/p0gqcdcg.jpg)
The 2023/24 Writers' Access Group
We are delighted that the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Writers’ Access Group is back for a third time and we’ll be working with a brand-new group of talented deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent writers over the course of 2023/2024.
We’ve been working closely with our friends and colleagues at TripleC to make the programme open and inclusive.
For the first time writers for the group have been selected via an open call out. The call out was open for submissions from writers between Tuesday 24th January 2023 at 10am and Tuesday 18th April 2023 at 12 noon.
The third Writers' Access Group starting working with us at the end of 2023 and the writers will be announced later in 2024.
We had so many great submissions in the Writers' Access Group open call out that we ran a programme of online support for around 120 writers who reached the longlist but were unsuccessful in gaining a place in the group.
Find out more about our Script Essentials workshops on our blog
The 2020/21 Writers' Access Group
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Writers has announced the second Writers' Access Group for 2020/21, after the huge success of the inaugural group.
The initiative gives talented disabled writers the chance to expand their writing skills and to be offered opportunities in TV and Radio at the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ.
Working with a number of organisations and practitioners in the field, thirteen disabled writers have been chosen on the merit of their scripts, their experience and via an interview process.
Meet the group and find out more about them over on our blog
Writers Access Group member Mandy Redvers-Rowe describes her experience
![The Writers' Access Group 2020/21](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/400xn/p08zd6h6.jpg)
There are thirteen writers in the group:
- Adam Fenton
- Amy Trigg
- Angela Clarke
- Caron Brand
- Karen Featherstone
- Kate Wickens
- Laurence Clark
- Leanna Benjamin
- Lizzie Watson
- Mandy Redvers-Rowe
- Robbie Curran
- Shahid Iqbal Khan
- William Barrington
The 2018/19 Writers' Access Group
The first Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Writers' Access Group was announced in September 2018 at a special launch event in Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Broadcasting House.
![The 2018/19 Writers' Access Group](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/400xn/p06m5y6q.jpg)
There were ten writers in the group.
- David Proud
- Amy Bethan Evans
- Rebekah Bowsher
- Sophie Woolley
- Athena Stevens
- Charlie Swinbourne
- Michael Southan
- Ross Willis
- Matilda Ibini
- Nicola Werenowska
In addition, several other writers attended many of the sessions and were offered the same opportunities:
- Annalisa Dinnella
- Rob Kinsman
- Tom Wentworth
Contact us
If you have any questions about the Access Group please do not hesitate to contact us via email:
Disabled and D/deaf-led organisations
- and (the Disabled Artists Networking Community)
- (US based but open to international entries)
- (US based but open to international applications)
Latest news and updates
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Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Writers’ Access Group is returning in 2023
We are delighted to announce that our Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Writers’ Access Group will be returning for a third time in 2023 and we’ll be looking for a brand-new group of talented deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent writers to work with over the course of 2023/2024. For the first time we will be selecting writers for the group via an open call out. Visit our blog to find out more details including entry dates. -
Watch The Break: Series 5
On Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ iPlayer
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Writing Ralph & Katie
Lead writer Peter Bowker worked with five disabled writers in the creation of Ralph & Katie, a spin-off of popular Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Drama The A-Word. Most of the writers had previously taken part in our Writers' Access Group. Lizzie Watson, explains what happened. -
The Writers' Access Group 2020/21
Find out full details of the members of the group over on our blog
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Introducing the first Writers' Access Group
Meet the 2019 group over on our blog -
Writing my first episode of EastEnders
Writers' Access Group graduate Sophie Woolley on her first EastEnders experience. -
Moving On
Watch More Than Words written by Charlie Swinbourne on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ iPlayer -
Writing my first episode of Doctors via the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Writers' Access Group
Hear from David Proud on our blog -
The Break Series 5
Meet the 5 writers and find out about their films, coming soon to Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Three -
Casualty - Writing Jade's Story
Find out more from Charlie Swinbourne and Sophie Woolley -
From the Writers' Access Group to working as Story Consultant on Ben Mitchell's deafness storyline on EastEnders
Success for Writers' Access Group alumnus Charlie Swinbourne -
What happens in a Writers' Access Group workshop?
David Proud picks up the story over on our blog