With just 16% of UK creatives coming from working-class roots, it’s certainly no secret that the ‘working class to creative professional’ narrative is unfortunately not a wildly common one. But an innovative new initiative has set up shop in a bid to turn the tide on this (rather bleak) statistic. Writers’ Block has been created by Sofie Mason and Diana Jervis-Read in an attempt to offer affordable accommodation in London to emerging playwrights who otherwise wouldn’t have the means to live in the capital city.
The initiative has been created in partnership with the Omnibus Theatre in Clapham, and builds on the annual ‘Adopt A Playwright Award’ which was also founded in by the aforementioned duo to help support underprivileged playwrights. Writers’ Block links low-income talent with ‘Omnihosts’ in the Clapahm area (and beyond), giving creatives that come from disadvantaged backgrounds the chance to be in London for the likes of meetings, rehearsals, performances, and other career opportunities.
These ‘Omnihosts’ are willing to offer their spare rooms or homes at dramatically reduced rates as part of the scheme, charging no more than £30 per night or £500 per month for the accommodation. The initiative has piqued the interest of some of Britain’s best-known stage and screen writers. And Fleabag writer, creator, and star, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, has kindly donated a rent-free flat to the cause, allowing working-class writers in their early careers a place to stay without having to pay for anything other than the bills.
Other high-profile people getting on board with the initiative include Waller-Bridge’s partner, Martin McDonagh, alongside Sally Wainwright, Peter Morgan, and many more. From one-off overnight stays to longer-term placements, in its debut year, 15 homes have signed up to the scheme and 12 writers have been given a budget-friendly place to stay in the Big Smoke.
Among the famous faces providing financial backing to the scheme is Jack Thorne who co-wrote the likes of Adolescence, This Is England, Enola Holmes, and the Harry Potter And The Cursed Child stage play. Thorne said: “For many writers the need for a roof makes writing impossible which is why this pilot is so important. If we want stories told about our complicated world, we need writers of every background writing them. If you’re from privilege your biggest problem is what to fill a page with, if you’re not, so much of your struggle is about the need to survive.”
Find out more about the Writers’ Block scheme here.
