Following the success of it's adult competition, InterAct Stroke Support is launching it's first 25 Word Challenge #youngtakeover for young people in Key Stage 3!
The Challenge:
To write a story in just 25 words
The Theme:
'Memory'
i.e. Something remembered from the past
Important Dates:
Launch Date: 1st May
Deadline: 18th July
Shortlisted stories performed during an online webinar
(winner announced):
6th October 2025
If your school would like to part in the challenge, please submit your students' stories (of 25 words or less)
to: takeover@interactstroke.org
If individual/s that would like to take part in the challenge, outside of school, please submit your story (of 25 words or less) with a Individual Contact Form
to: takeover@interactstroke.org
Each participant will be given a certificate for taking part.
25 shortlisted stories will be performed by professional actors during a live webinar on the 6th October 2025 - the day following World Teachers' Day.
This competition is in memory of gifted teacher Sushila Bahl.
Watch our 2024 Adult Challenge featuring Bill Patterson, Michael Simpkins, Anne Farrell, Christopher Ravenscroft, Ian Talbot O.B.E and Dame Imelda Staunton here!
Who can apply for the Challenge?
This challenge is open to students in years Key Stage 3, or Years 7-9. We can take school submissions and individual submissions. Please use the correct contact forms found above.
In what format do I submit the stories?
Please feel free to scan all of your students stories onto one pdf and send that to takeover@interactstroke.org. Please remember to include a school contact sheet.
Why World Teachers' Day?
We have chosen to hold the award ceremony on the 6th October 2025 - the day following World Teachers' Day - in memory of Sushila Bahl.
What if my student's stories are shortlisted?
If one or more of your students' stories are shortlisted as part of the top 25, we will let you know by emailing the school contact you gave us in your form. The top 25 stories will be performed on World Teachers' Day, by professional actors, during a live webinar. The link for the webinar will be sent to you in advance of the 5th, and we encourage you to watch it with your students if you can. (If you cannot watch the live version, there will also be a recorded version available.) During the webinar, the final winner of the 25 Word Challenge #youngtakeover 2025 will be announced. Following the webinar, InterAct will post certificates to every school that took part. At which time, we will include a special certificate for the final winner.
What if my students' story's are not shortlisted?
If your students' story's are not shortlisted, we will let you know. All the young people that have taken part will receive a certificate for successfully writing a story in 25 words. The top 25 stories will be performed on World Teachers' Day, by professional actors, during a live webinar. The link for the webinar will be sent to you in advance of the 5th, and we encourage you to watch it with your students if you can, even if they do not feature. (If you cannot watch the live version, there will also be a recorded version available.)
How can my school raise money for
InterAct Stroke Support's 25th Anniversary?
The 25 Word Challenge #youngtakeover is not a fundraising event. However, if after hearing about our work, you or your school would like to do some fundraising then we would be very grateful to hear any ideas you have! The best way to send your donations to us is through our JustGiving page. Please remember to leave a comment on the donation about where you are donating from so that we can send you a thank you!
InterAct's 25th Anniversary JustGiving Page
If you haven't been able to find the information you need, you can email takeover@interactstroke.org with any questions. Best of luck! :)