Phoebe Waller-Bridge Donates London Flat for Emerging Playwrights
The Writers' Block initiative, backed by industry figures, addresses the critical need for affordable accommodation for working-class creatives.
Callum Smith
Phoebe Waller-Bridge has donated a London flat for use by emerging playwrights from underprivileged backgrounds.
Residents receive flat rent-free accommodation, responsible only for their bills. This arrangement forms a core part of the Writers' Block initiative.
The scheme connects working-class writers with hosts offering accommodation at free or significantly reduced rates. Sofie Mason and Diana Jervis-Read, founders of The Offies, created both schemes.
Jack Thorne, a financial backer, highlighted the struggle many writers face. "For many writers the need for a roof makes writing impossible which is why this pilot is so important," Thorne stated. He added that if society wants diverse stories, it needs writers from every background.
For many writers the need for a roof makes writing impossible which is why this pilot is so important.
Other prominent figures also back the scheme. These include James Graham, Sally Wainwright, and Peter Morgan.
Martin McDonagh, Waller-Bridge's partner, is involved in the initiative.
Alan Turkington offered a room in his Camberwell flat through the scheme. Turkington expressed satisfaction, stating, "To me, being an Omnihost is the most decent and worthwhile way to rent out a room if you have one."
To me, being an Omnihost is the most decent and worthwhile way to rent out a room if you have one.
Research indicates only 16 percent of creative industry workers come from working-class backgrounds.