English PEN is delighted to announce the introduction of a Concessionary Membership. This new membership is set at 40% of the Standard Membership cost. It is open to anyone who is low-waged or unwaged, a student, retired, or in receipt of government benefits, and replaces the previous, age-limited Under 26 Membership.
One of English PEN’s guiding principles is that ‘Literature knows no frontiers.’ Accordingly, we want membership with English PEN to be accessible to as many people as possible. We’re keenly aware of the barriers to participation created by structural inequalities in the UK, and also of the devastating impacts the COVID-19 pandemic has had on many people’s finances. We hope that this new tier of membership will be a welcome option for those who would like to be part of English PEN’s work, but for whom a Standard Membership is financially prohibitive.
Marion Rankine, Membership and Administration Officer at English PEN