Who we are landing page — Never Such Innocence

ABOUT US

At Never Such Innocence we aim to give children and young people across the world a voice on war and conflict. We offer opportunities to reflect on conflict throughout history, and today, through poetry, art, song and speeches.

TESTIMONIALS

“Entering Never Such Innocence is a great opportunity to creatively express your thoughts about war. And to remember and to honour those people who served.”

TEAM

Never Such Innocence is made up of a close-knit team dedicated to giving children and young people opportunities to reflect on conflict, and a platform to amplify their voices.

PRESIDENT & EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The continued success of Never Such Innocence would not be possible without the tireless work of our wider team…

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PARTNERS

The success to date of Never Such Innocence would not be possible without the support and engagement of our partners…

HOW TO SUPPORT

We would like to invite you to support us in giving children and young people a voice on conflict. Enabling the custodians of the future to have a strong and powerful voice on issues that make them mad, sad, scared and glad.

WORK WITH US

Any upcoming opportunities to join the Never Such Innocence team will be detailed here.

Never Such Innocence

Never Such Innocence is a registered charity (number 1156148) in England and Wales and is a unique project fitting into the wider series of 2014-2018 centenary activities. Our aim is to ensure young people nationally are inspired, informed and included in the centenary activities.

The charity takes its name from Philip Larkin’s famous poem MCMXIV, which reflects on the changes caused by the First World War. The driving force behind Never Such Innocence is Lady Lucy French, great-granddaughter of Field Marshal Sir John French who commanded the British Expeditionary Forces from 1914-15.

The launch of Never Such Innocence was kindly hosted at Australia House in May 2014 with a gala dinner and theatrical performance, blending poetry, prose and music from the Great War, compiled by Dr Martin Stephen. Since our inception we have been dedicated to engaging the nation’s children in the First World War centenary through learning, poetry, art and music.

T: 0207 836 2603
11 Slingsby Place, London,
WC2E 9AB

Never Such Innocence.
Registered Charity Number 1156148 Company Number 8680319

Our International Poetry Competition is open to all young people between 9-18. Enter via the link in bio.

#poetry #youngvoices #internationalvoices #youngpoets #competition #freecompetition #poetrycommunity #poetsofinstagram

Artist credit: Until t

Our International Poetry Competition is open to all young people between 9-18. Enter via the link in bio. #poetry #youngvoices #internationalvoices #youngpoets #competition #freecompetition #poetrycommunity #poetsofinstagram Artist credit: Until the Day We Find Unity by Isabelle (14-16, USA)

Last chance to get those pieces of poetry and artwork into our Life as a Dandelion competition!

We have some great prizes, generously donated by @armedforceseducation

Winning work will be showcased at the @ministryofdefence and featured in a speci

Last chance to get those pieces of poetry and artwork into our Life as a Dandelion competition! We have some great prizes, generously donated by @armedforceseducation Winning work will be showcased at the @ministryofdefence and featured in a special winners booklet! #motmc @royalbritishlegion @armybenevolentfund @navalfamfed @raffamsfed @armyfamiliesfederation

We all have our purple on today! Do you?!?

It’s a busy day for us - We are holding a special poetry workshop at Tidworth Garrison with military children from Wiltshire.

The @Voafcc are performing later tonight at the @ccfawards! They will eve

We all have our purple on today! Do you?!? It’s a busy day for us - We are holding a special poetry workshop at Tidworth Garrison with military children from Wiltshire. The @Voafcc are performing later tonight at the @ccfawards! They will even be singing a song they wrote especially for the awards!🥹 #motmc

Don’t know about you, but I’ve been doing the classic hold this hanger up, then hold that hanger up to pick my outfit for Friday! Still time to do some shopping! We can’t wait to see everyone’s fantastic outfits! Be sure to po

Don’t know about you, but I’ve been doing the classic hold this hanger up, then hold that hanger up to pick my outfit for Friday! Still time to do some shopping! We can’t wait to see everyone’s fantastic outfits! Be sure to post them with #MotMC!