The leader of a writing group for teenagers who has been recognised in Wokingham’s Mayor Awards is celebrating its ten-year anniversary.

Igniting Writing has been running at Wokingham Library since October 2014, and has taught hundreds of young writers creative writing skills over the past decade.

Run by Alex Baker, the club has formed partnerships with professional publishing companies, and welcomed guest speakers including journalists, illustrators and authors.

Publishing companies have offered members prizes, discounts and work experience opportunities to teenagers.

Mr Baker has been recognised by three local awards including Wokingham Town Council Civic Award in 2020, the Wokingham Borough Council Covid-19 Roll of Honour and the Wokingham Mayor’s Honour Award 2024.

The group continued to operate during the Covid-19 pandemic, forced to move online.

Mr Baker thanked ‘Wokingham Library staff, past and present, who believed in the group from its earliest days and gave us a home’.

He said: “So many librarians have gone out of their way to help nurture the group from the ground up, recommend our sessions to library users and help out with all the behind scenes bits.”

Mr Baker, who runs the club on a Saturday morning alongside his full-time job, was inspired to start the group after joining a creative writing group at university.

Multiple volunteers also help out at the sessions, offering children advice on their writing.

Igniting Writing runs sessions for children in years 6 to 8 at 9:35-11:15am, and for those in years 9 to 13 at 11:45-1:15pm on Saturdays at Wokingham Library in the Carnival Hub.