Godalming library, part of Surrey Libraries, hosted an event for local Beavers on 26 September based on the BBC 500 Words competition.

A group local to Godalming visited the library as part of efforts to encourage them to enter this year’s 500 Words. The Beavers were given a tour of the library during which staff explained all the activities on offer for young people – including and beyond books. The children were also given the opportunity to ask staff questions, before they were divided into groups and sent out into the library to find books that could inspire stories of their own.

The children, some of whom were given their first library cards on the day, were then granted time to share their storytelling ideas and find out more about 500 Words. This is the UK's largest children's story writing competition. It is split into two age categories: 5-7 and 8-11 year-olds. Spelling, punctuation and grammar are not marked, and writers' creativity is emphasised. There are prizes to be won as each winner will take home a bundle of books and the gold winners will also win 500 books for their school library.

50 finalists will be invited to a grand finale at Windsor Castle in February 2026, hosted by Her Majesty The Queen. Each winner will also have their story read aloud by a celebrity on television, shown as part of a special 500 Words programme with The One Show in early March.

The values of public libraries, 500 Words and the Scouting movement are closely intertwined. Central to the Scouts’ mission is building skills for life. Libraries are places of inspiration that equip children and young people with lifelong skills in literacy and reading for pleasure. 

The power of storytelling in broadening horizons and building empathy, fostered by both libraries and 500 Words, also links to the Scouts’ values of care, respect, integrity, cooperation, and exploring our own and others’ beliefs. Indeed, libraries and Scouts are fundamentally connected by the overall purpose of scouting, which is to “support young people in their development and empowering them to make a positive contribution to society”. 

Public libraries and scouting both provide inclusive environments where people of all backgrounds are welcomed and encouraged to experience the joy of storytelling. From toddlers discovering their first picture books to teens exploring immersive fiction, Surrey Libraries offer a comprehensive and diverse range of titles to suit every age and interest. Their libraries host a wide range of events that support creativity, learning, and connection from interactive storytelling sessions to author visits and reading challenges.

The BBC 500 Words Competition closes at 9pm on Friday 7 November 2025. For more details and to read the Terms acd Conditions and Privacy Notices go to bbc.co.uk/500words.