Literary Memberships for
Low-income Devon Residents
In 2025 we introduced a brand new literary support scheme for 25-45 year old Devon residents who live in a low-income household and/or receive benefits in collaboration with The Devon & Exeter Institution.
In 2026, we’re expanding this offer so that Devon residents can benefit from a fully-funded membership to Exeter’s oldest library at The DEI, or access to an exciting community of local writers and masterclasses with Raw Writing!
Photo credit: Paul Courtney
About the Literary Memberships
In 2025, Exeter City of Literature sponsored 10 fully-funded memberships to the DEI to nurture Devon's writers, creatives, and readers through access to a supportive community and inspiring work environment at Exeter’s oldest library.
In 2026, we’re sponsoring 5 memberships to The Devon and Exeter Institution and 5 Raw Regular memberships with Raw Writing so that our local creatives can benefit from access to the wonderful community of readers at The DEI, and benefit from industry level masterclasses and writing clubs with Raw Writing.
These memberships are available on a first-come, first-served basis. To be eligible, you must live in Devon, be between 25-45 years old, and live in a low-income household and/or receive benefits.
Applications open for both memberships in the first week of April every calendar year, and will remain open until all sponsored memberships on offer are claimed.
Applications for the 2026-2027 Raw Writing RAW Regular memberships: Open
These memberships are available on a first come, first served basis. To be eligible, you must live in Devon, be between 25-45 years-old, and live in a low-income household and/or receive benefits.
This membership features a monthly online 90 minute writing masterclass and a monthly online live writing club with likeminded and passionate writers from Devon and beyond. Full details here.
Applications for the 2026-2027 Devon and Exeter Institution memberships: Closed
These memberships are available on a first come, first served basis. To be eligible, you must live in Devon, be between 25-45 years-old, and live in a low-income household and/or receive benefits.
Membership for the Devon will be for one full year starting from April 2026 to April 2027, and grants you full DEI member benefits, details of which can be found here.
About The Devon and Exeter Institution
The DEI is a thriving independent, historic library right in the heart of Exeter. It has just completed a major capital development project and offers an unrivalled range of beautiful spaces for reading, writing, meetings, and events.
By becoming a member of the DEI, you will be joining a unique community of readers and writers, united in supporting and enjoying Exeter's oldest library in its original setting.
Photo credit: Jim Wileman
About Raw Writing
Raw Writing courses and workshops offer you the opportunity to learn how to write in a supportive setting with like-minded individuals and expert, published tutors.
Raw Writing also offers anybody who loves reading and writing the opportunity to join the Raw Writing community and attend free social events, which are held on the last Friday of the month in Exeter, and free ‘Silent Writing Club’ sessions where you can write in peace with fellow writers in a warm and supportive atmosphere, with the opportunity to socialise afterwards.