Our 2026 Young Person's Poetry Competition is now live!
In celebration of the work of the Cornish poet Charles Causley, the Young Person’s Poetry Competition 2026 aims to encourage and enable young writers to try their hand at writing poetry themselves.
This year’s Head Judge is acclaimed poet Fiona Benson and shortlisting judges include poets associated with The Charles Causley Trust.
The theme this year is Family in all its varied meanings.
Entry is free and is open to all young people aged between 5 and 18 years old who live anywhere in the UK.
You can enter through your school, as part of a group, or as an individual.
The closing date for the competition is Midnight on 4 January 2026 and the winners will be contacted in March 2026 and awarded at the Launceston Poetry Festival (1 – 3 May 2026).
Prizes will be awarded in each age category:
- 5-10 years
- 11-15 years
- 16-18 years
- There will also be a prize for a young Cornish poet
Please make sure that you read the Rules of Entry carefully before entering and attach a filled in entry form with your poem.
Send your poems and entry forms to rita.camposteixeira@causleytrust.org.
In exceptional circumstances, poems and entry forms can be posted to us at:
The Charles Causley International Poetry Competition
2, Cyprus Well, Ridgegrove Hill, Launceston, Cornwall PL15 8BT
Please make sure all entries reach us by 4 January 2026. Happy writing!