EMERGING WRITERS SCHEME
“The Little Chick experience has been one I'll not forget. It has been far more than a single retreat; it has been a structured course, an ongoing mentorship, and the creation of a community that feels safe and nurturing, where ideas can be explored and genuine, constructive feedback is freely shared. I'm so grateful to have been part of it.”
— Ruta Gedmintas
The Little Chick Emerging Writers Scheme is an exciting opportunity for writers based in the UK and Ireland, in the early stages of their career, to develop their TV screenwriting with BAFTA & Emmy award winning writer Abi Morgan and Sue Gibbs, Head of Development at Heyday Television UK. The course includes a five day residential retreat and three script meetings over the following months. The selected writers will work towards developing a TV pilot episode.
Our 2026 Cohort
From L–R: Martha Loader, Billie Collins, Joanne Lau, Muyiwa Adesokun. Middle: Hugo Timbrell, Lorna Tetteh King, Matthew Tallon, Rhys Warrington. Bottom: Sarah Harkins, Eno Mfon, Rabiah Hussain, Jasmer Gill.
Our 2025 Alumni
From L–R: Adrian Scott, Jenny Takahashi Stark, Ruta Gedmintas, Beth Park, Sophie Bentinck, (Abi Morgan), Lara Peake, Arian Nik, Temi Majekodunmi, (Sue Gibbs), Anna Fredrikke Bjerke, Omar Khan, Siân Owen, (Manda Levin), Lawrence Walker
“The Little Chicks Writer's Scheme has been brilliant, life-affirming, emotional and beautiful, all rolled into one. The friends I have made amongst the writers will be lifelong. The support I have been given by Abi, Sue and Dorcas, I can't put into words. People often say they care and support but there's saying it and there's doing it. Abi and her team 'do it' to the last core and that alone is gold. I will be eternally grateful....”
— Adrian Scott
“This course was genuinely life-changing. It was light in a dark season — a port in the storm. I learned practical, lasting skills, but more than that I gained confidence and a sense of being held by the wonders that are Abi, Sue and Dorcas and also by an extraordinary group of writers. The support was profound, generous, and sustaining, and I came away braver than I arrived.”
— Siân Owen
“The Little Chick experience has been one I'll not forget. It has been far more than a single retreat; it has been a structured course, an ongoing mentorship, and the creation of a community that feels safe and nurturing, where ideas can be explored and genuine, constructive feedback is freely shared. I'm so grateful to have been part of it and I look forward to meeting the new recruits.”
— Ruta Gedmintas
“The Little Chick Scheme empowered me; it affirmed that my voice and my work have a rightful place on screen.”
— Temi Majekodunmi
“Abi, Sue and Dorcas are the best!! Genuinely a brilliant and life changing scheme, I feel so lucky to have been chosen for it. All I can say is, if you get chosen, please don't hesitate to go, it's invaluable being able to learn from the greats and you'll make lifelong friends too.”
— Jenny Takahashi Stark
“This experience was about more than just improving my writing. Being seen and curiously questioned by Abi helped me to see myself for the first time in years. As a consequence of understanding who I am, my writing has become more truthful. Now when I write, not only do I have guiding principles that I learned, but I also trust myself. And that's so precious.”
— Beth Park
“It has been a true honour to be on the journey as part of Little Chick's first writers cohort. The tools, mindset and curiosity I've gained, the confidence I've built in my work and the fellow writers I've been able to meet and collaborate with, has been a real gift. Abi, Sue and Dorcas are some of the most honest, supportive and safe sounding boards in the industry, and also just all round brilliant women. I'm hugely grateful to them.”
— Lara Peak
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