Following the incredible response to Words Matter’s new film – featuring the moving poem by Tally Gilbert about why words matter for children and brought to life by 13-year-old Ethan – the charity has launched a national children’s poetry competition in collaboration with First News, the UK’s leading children’s newspaper.
Timed to coincide with the summer holidays, the competition invites children to write original poems exploring the power of words from the adults in their lives. How can certain words lift them up – making them feel confident, happy, and seen? How can others bring them down – leaving them feeling sad, anxious, or isolated?
Entries will be judged by an inspiring panel, including First News Editor-in-Chief Nicky Cox, Hollywood actor Will Poulter, poet Tally Gilbert, and Words Matter founder Jessica Bondy.
Prizes include:
- 1st Place: £200 Amazon voucher
- 2nd Place: £100 Amazon voucher
- 3rd Place: £50 Amazon voucher
- Five runners-up: £10 book token each
Entries should be sent to WIN@FIRSTNEWS.CO.UK with ‘Words Matter’ in the subject line by 19 September 2025. Children must include a parent or guardian’s name and a contact phone number or email so First News can reach the winners.
Winning poems will be featured across First News and Words Matter’s websites and social media, with the opportunity to appear in a future issue of First News.
Jessica Bondy, Founder of Words Matter, said:
“We’ve been overwhelmed by the response to our new film, which features Tally Gilbert’s poem so beautifully read by Ethan. It inspired us to invite other children to share their own experiences through poetry – expressing how the words of adults shape how they feel and who they become.
“We’re thrilled to partner with First News to bring this competition to life and are incredibly proud of our panel of judges. This is part of our wider mission: to shine a light on the impact adult words can have on children – for better or worse.
“Verbal abuse by adults is too often dismissed or hidden, yet it affects an alarming 2 in 5 children (41%) and can leave lifelong scars. It’s time we bring this issue out of the shadows and help adults understand the profound power their words hold. Let’s use them to build children up – not break them down. Words matter.”