Eastbourne Litfest

A bookfest by the sea - a charity with impact

Eastbourne LitFest is a registered charity (Reg. Charity No. 1213229) dedicated to fostering a love of reading, books and writing. We work to create accessible opportunities for all, helping young children discover the joy of books for the first time, supporting isolated adults seeking connection through stories, cheering on lifelong readers and aspiring writers looking for inspiration. And for us, first time festival goers are a special group. Whether they're attending their first book signing, putting a question to an author at a live Q&A or turning up to their first creative writing workshop, we make Eastbourne LitFest a welcoming and accessible experience for everyone.

Why your help is so important

Reading and literacy are keys that open doors and unlock potential. Help us connect people, communities, and generations.

Here’s why your support is so important:

  • We provide experiences that encourage reading at all ages, helping children develop early literacy skills and encouraging older readers.

  • Through accessible events and opportunities to engage with authors and books, we promote mental wellbeing through creative expression and community connection.

  • We create an inclusive space striving to remove barriers that might otherwise prevent participation.

  • We aim to enhance the cultural life of Eastbourne by celebrating literature, storytelling, and creativity.

Giving £1,000 enables accessible author events, where everyone, regardless of physical or financial limitations, can enjoy intimate conversations with their favourite authors, attend live readings, and more.

Why you can trust us

Our charity is governed by a dedicated board of Trustees working with a group of volunteers focused on quality and integrity and ensuring our programs are strategic, transparent, impactful, and aligned with our mission.

We have recruited individuals with expertise in education, the arts, finance, and community outreach and our financial systems mean that every penny we receive is used responsibly.

We are committed to being transparent and accountable to our donors and sponsors.

Link to Accounts: Our most recent financial report and accounts will be published [here]. You can always ask us for further details on how donations are allocated.

£2,500 will help us pay creatives fairly, ensuring that we can attract diverse, high-calibre authors and speakers who bring unique perspectives to our festival - and helping us to create a literary legacy.

Who we support

Our programs directly impact a wide range of individuals:

Children: Working closely with schools, we are putting children face-to-face with authors and providing access to workshops, a book parade and a range engaging events, we encourage a love of reading in young people. Visit our podcast page to hear some of our youngest FestFans talking about their love of reading.

Older Readers: We offer access to a wide variety of events, from author talks to book clubs, aimed at sparking the imaginations of lifelong readers. For adults who may feel disconnected from the community, our events and workshops provide a space for mental stimulation, social connection, and emotional support.

A donation of £500 funds a school workshops providing students with an opportunity to engage with authors, explore creative writing, and discover the power of books and storytelling.