The West Midlands’ very own Sir Lenny Henry is backing a new scheme that will support emerging writing talent from across Birmingham and the Black Country.

Applications are now open for the Write Across Birmingham and the Black Country scheme – the product of a partnership between the BBC, Create Central and a number of the West Midlands’ leading creative organisations.

Speaking at the launch event in Birmingham on Friday 2 February, which was also attended by BBC Director General, Tim Davie, Sir Lenny Henry, said: “This is a very good time to be in the Midlands, the next few years is all about development. It’s going to be a cultural hotspot again. The BBC is here, Create Central is here, BBC Writers is here. I want to be involved in that and Steven Knight wants to be involved in that. Good things are coming.”

On the Write Across Birmingham and Black Country scheme, which provides 12 aspiring writers with a crucial insight into writing for TV, Lenny added: “This is a brilliant way of saying the doors are open, come in. There are a gazillion people who want to write stories, and represent people like them. This is a brilliant opportunity for people to say ‘I’ve got eight weeks, I don’t have to pay, I’ve got all of these brilliant people to learn from, and to nurture me. I want to be part of something like that.’” 

Through a series of engaging workshops, expert-led sessions and networking opportunities, the eight-week scheme will cover the foundations of storytelling for the screen, while demystifying the process of writing for television. It runs from June to September in 2024 with applications closing on Tuesday 5 March.

BBC Writers will be hosting a second launch event for the scheme at the Arena Theatre in Wolverhampton on Wednesday 21 February.

BBC Writers, which works to support scriptwriting talent, and Create Central, which aims to turbo-charge the creative content sector in the region, are partnering with Birmingham Rep; Script Sirens; Dudley Creates; Creative Black Country; and Black Country Touring for the scheme.

For more information on how to apply for the scheme, visit the BBC Writers website at bbc.co.uk/writers

Free tickets for the next BBC Writers Wolverhampton event are available now from the Arena Theatre box office here.