The University of Warwick marked the tenth anniversary of its Writing Wrongs programme with a special event, bringing together young people, alumni and current Warwick students to celebrate a decade of creativity, confidence and opportunity.
Held on Wednesday 29 April 2026, the celebration brought together students from the past ten years of the programme, highlighting their writing and the issues that matter to them. Over that time, more than 400 students, aged 14 to 17, have taken part.
Delivered by Warwick Law School, Writing Wrongs supports local Year 12 and 13 students to find their voice through writing. The programme creates opportunities for young people across the region to explore their ideas, build confidence, and engage with higher education.
The free programme combines creativity with conversations around human rights and social justice, helping students see new possibilities for their future.
This year's winner, Sabjuna Mayurathan, 16, wrote about the forgotten role of women in Sri Lanka's civil war, while runner-up Milly Judge-Porter wrote about her experience of being a partially sighted student in mainstream education.
Independent journalist, Aina J Khan, who has worked for the New York Times and The Guardian presented their certificates.
Writing Wrongs alumnus Leona Mathias, who completed the programme two years ago and is now studying English literature at Warwick, said: "Taking part in Writing Wrongs was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I applied impulsively just before the deadline, and every day I'm so glad that I did. I learnt so much and was mentored by incredibly inspiring, passionate tutors who really taught me a lot. I left the programme feeling far more confident in my writing, and excited about everything Warwick had to offer.
"Before Writing Wrongs, I didn't know much about Warwick, and I honestly don't think I would have applied, or be here now, without it. I'm truly grateful for the opportunity, because I now can't imagine being anywhere else."
Over the past decade, the programme has brought together students for workshops led by professional writers, journalists and academics. Through these sessions, participants have explored different styles of writing and, with one-to-one support, developed original pieces on issues that matter to them, often going on to enter national competitions.
The programme has also opened doors beyond the workshops. Each year, the strongest piece of writing has been published in the University of Warwick's Lacuna Magazine, with the winning student offered a paid internship with the publication.
Mary Griffin, Associate Professor and Director of the Writing Wrongs programme at the University of Warwick, said: "Writing Wrongs was created to give young people the space and confidence to express themselves, particularly on the complex political issues that matter most to them.
"Over the past ten years, we've seen students grow in confidence, develop their ideas, and realise that their voices matter. The creativity, honesty and insight in their writing never fails to impress us."
Melanie Twigger, Widening Participation Officer at Warwick Law School, said: "This programme is about opening doors. Many of the students we work with may not have considered university or felt that spaces like this were for them. Writing Wrongs helps change that. It gives them the chance to meet current students, experience university life, and build skills that strengthen their applications, but just as importantly, it helps them believe in their own potential."
Over the past decade, Writing Wrongs has supported young people across Coventry and Warwickshire to develop their skills, build confidence, and engage with the world around them through writing.
By encouraging students to think critically and creatively, the programme continues to support those interested in a range of subjects from Law and English to the sciences, while helping them take their first steps towards higher education and future careers.
