Winter Poetry Competition: Share Your Story This Season

Winter is a time of wonder, reflection, and warmth as we shelter from the cold. From the soft sparkle of snowflakes to the cosy glow of a fire, this season has a way of inspiring us all. Now it’s your chance to capture that magic and share your story – through poetry!

After a successful Autumn Poetry Competition, we’re thrilled to announce our Winter Poetry Competition.

We’re inviting those living in our Trivallis communities across RCT and Cardiff Bay to showcase their creativity, thoughts, and experiences. You don’t need to be a professional writer, and you don’t need fancy words—all you need is your voice.

Why enter?

This competition is about giving everyone a chance to express themselves. We know that in our communities, there are so many untold stories, and this is the perfect opportunity to let your words shine, whether you’re new to poetry or have been writing for years.

We want to hear your unique voice, your life experiences, and your perspective on winter. This is a chance to discover your inner poet and inspire others with your creativity!

Age categories:

To make sure it’s fair for everyone, we’ve split the competition into three age groups:

• 8–12 years: For our young poets, full of imagination and wonder.
• 13–17 years: For teens ready to share their unique perspectives.
• 18+ years: For adults of all ages, whether you’re writing for the first time or have stories to share.
• We’re also introducing a special under 8’s category, where we’re inviting local children to send us a picture that show what winter means to them.

How to get started: Writing about winter

Not sure where to begin? Here are some tips to spark your inspiration:

• Observe: What makes winter special in your community? How does the landscape change, and how do people come together?
• Reflect: Think about the emotions winter brings for you. Is it a season of quiet, connection, or new beginnings?
• Be Authentic: Use your unique voice—simple words are often the most powerful.

How to enter:

1. Write your poem about winter—whatever it means to you.
2. Send your poem along with your name, contact details, address and age category (8–12, 13–17, or 18+) to comms@trivallis.co.uk with the subject line: ‘Winter Poem’.
3. For the under 8’s drawing competition please send a scanned copy or a clear picture of the drawing along with your child’s name and your contact details and address to comms@trivallis.co.uk with the subject line: ‘Winter Drawing’.
4. Deadline for entries: 5pm, 13 December 2024. The competition opens at 10am on Monday 25 November 2024.

Entry rules:

• The work must be your own.
• You must live in a community across RCT or Cardiff Bay where there are Trivallis homes.

What could you win?

This competition is all about celebrating your work:

• Your poem could be featured on our website for the whole community to enjoy!
• There are £50, £30, and £15 shopping vouchers for the top three entries in each age category. Please note the top 3 entries in the under 8’s picture competition will win a surprise goody bag.
• With enough submissions, we may even create a poetry collection featuring your work and those of other winners—giving your words a permanent place in print.

Ready to write?

This is your chance to let your creativity shine and share the beauty of winter through your eyes. We can’t wait to see your work!