Writers' Access Group

An initiative to give talented disabled writers the chance to expand their writing skills and to be offered opportunities in TV and Radio at the 麻豆社.

The door of opportunity has to be opened a little wider to allow for disabled access
鈥� David Proud, 麻豆社 Writers' Access Group 2018/19

麻豆社 Writers' first Access Group launched in 2018. The programme is part of the wider 麻豆社's commitment to reflecting the experiences of the UK鈥檚 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. 麻豆社 Writers' Access Group is backed by 麻豆社 Content and 麻豆社 Drama Commissioning.

For the first two iterations of the group 麻豆社 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 were selected via an open callout for submissions which took place in early 2023. The fourth Writers' Access Group will begin in 2027 with writers identified via the 麻豆社 Writers Open Call.

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 麻豆社 Commissioners. They are given introductions to 麻豆社 Continuing Drama, Radio, Comedy, C麻豆社 and CBeebies. 麻豆社 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.

Important Update

The fourth Writers' Access Group will begin in autumn 2027. Writers who wish to be considered for the group must submit a script via our Open Call (Tuesday 3 November 2026 to Tuesday 1 December 2026 at 12 noon).

There will no longer be a separate application window for the Writers' Access Group. Submissions will be open every two years via our Open Call.

Find out more information on our blog

The 2023/25 Writers' Access Group

The third 麻豆社 Writers Access Group (top row l-r Benjamin Bee, Neil Ben, Hollie-Jay Bowes, Lou Burns, middle row l-r Angela Franklyn, Kathryn Golding, Mared Jarman, bottom row l-r Steph Lacey, Sai Karan Talwar, Nina Thomson)

There were ten writers in the group:

Benjamin Bee
Neil Ben
Hollie-Jay Bowes
Lou Burns
Angela Franklyn
Kathryn Golding
Mared Jarman
Steph Lacey
Sai Karan Talwar
Nina Thomson

Find out more about the writers who were part of our third Writers' Access Group on the 麻豆社 Writers blog

The 2020/21 Writers' Access Group

麻豆社 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 麻豆社.

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