Cause UK

13/08/2026

📚 Whitby Lit Fest is back – and the 2026 line-up is HUGE!

We’re incredibly proud to be working with Whitby Lit Fest as it returns for its second year, bringing more than 50 author events across four days to one of Britain’s most atmospheric literary towns. 🖤🌊

From 19–22 November, Whitby will welcome an extraordinary line-up including:

✨ John Boyne in conversation with Steph McGovern
🔎 Vera and Shetland creator Ann Cleeves
🍳 Hairy Biker Si King
📖 Joanne Harris
🔪 Crime-writing legend Mark Billingham
🎭 Actor Greta Scacchi
🎶 Grammy Award-winner Corinne Bailey Rae
📺 Dr Sian Williams, Louise Minchin and Alex Thomson
👻 Plus some of the country’s leading gothic, ghost story and folk-horror writers

There’ll also be poetry, live music, theatre, children’s events, creative writing workshops, publishing panels and masterclasses – all set against the ruined Abbey, cobbled streets and dramatic coastline that have made Whitby synonymous with storytelling. (Cause UK)

Following the sell-out success of the inaugural festival, it’s brilliant to see Whitby Lit Fest growing in ambition and establishing itself as a major fixture in the North’s cultural calendar.

At Cause and Effect, we love helping ambitious cultural events find their audience – and there aren’t many better stories to tell than world-class writers descending on the home of Dracula. 🧛📚

Tickets go on sale 31 August.

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13/08/2026

📚 Durham Book Festival is back – and what a line-up for 2026!

We’re delighted to be working once again with Durham Book Festival, helping tell the story of one of the North’s leading literary celebrations.

Taking place 9–11 October, this year’s festival brings together an incredible mix of writers, performers, broadcasters and thinkers – with stories forged in the North at its heart.

⭐ Pet Shop Boys’ Neil Tennant joins Durham University Chancellor Fiona Hill for an exclusive conversation exploring how the North East shaped his life and work.

⭐ Christopher Eccleston joins poet Jo Clement for a special live recording of the Working-Class Library podcast.

⭐ Acclaimed Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell author Susanna Clarke makes a rare public appearance to discuss her new Durham-inspired novella.

⭐ Bestseller Lucy Foley returns to Durham, with The Hunting Party chosen as this year’s Big Read – and 3,000 free copies heading into communities across the North East.

And that’s just the beginning, with Louise Doughty, Hollie McNish, James Marriott, Sarah Hall, Kayo Chingonyi and many more joining the programme. (Cause UK⁠)

We love working on festivals that put culture, creativity and brilliant storytelling firmly in the spotlight – particularly when they celebrate the extraordinary creative talent of the North.

Tickets are on sale now. 📖✨

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13/08/2026

🩰 Talent exists everywhere. Opportunity doesn’t.

We loved telling the story of 14-year-old Sunderland dancer Belle Collier, who is dancing towards her dreams thanks to a £500 creative bursary.

Belle received support through Culture Start Sunderland’s Ignite Bursary Programme, helping with the very real costs of pursuing her talent – from ballet shoes to lessons and exams.

And she’s certainly making the opportunity count. 🌟

Since receiving support, Belle has achieved:

✨ Pass with Merit in her ballet iPath exam
✨ Pass with Distinction in Musical Theatre
✨ Distinction in Singing
✨ Merits in Grade Four Ballet, Tap and Gold Modern
✨ A performance at Newcastle’s Theatre Royal – with a singing showcase to come this October

Belle is one of 138 young people supported through Ignite, with 172 bursaries worth £82,300 awarded to date. (Cause UK⁠)

As Sunderland Culture CEO Nick Malyan puts it: “Talent exists in every community, but opportunity does not.”

A brilliant example of how relatively small amounts of funding can make a huge difference to a young person’s confidence, ambition and future.

And we’re proud to help tell these important stories. 💛

ArtsAndCulture Dance Ballet SocialImpact PRWithPurpose Photo credit Asadour Guzelian

12/08/2026

At Cause, we've put a lot of work into supporting the Whitby Literature Festival programming team, Fiona Duncan and Adele Duffield, to pull together a stonking line-up.

We're excited to announce authors including John Boyne, Ann Cleeves, Si King, Sian Williams, Greta Scacchi, Peter Oborne, Steph McGovern, Elly Griffiths, Mark Billingham and more.

Alongside an eclectic programme that's a true reflection of the Gothic capital of the UK, There's gothic fiction, ghost stories and folk horror. And lots of books celebrating the coast. As well as poetry, children's authors, workshops, theatre...

We can't wait till November!

As festival Patron Kate Fenton says: "Four days crammed with gripping stories, sparky conversations and revealing interviews. Entertainment, inspiration, wit, wisdom - and fish and chips. What more could any book lover want?"

Tickets go on sale 31 August from the Whitby Lit Fest website. Check out the full press release here:

John Boyne, Ann Cleeves, Si King, Joanne Harris, Mark Billingham, Greta Scacchi, Corinne Bailey Rae and Dr Sian Williams are heading to Whitby The town that inspired Bram Stoker's Dracula and has fired the imaginations of generations of writers is preparing to welcome some of the biggest names in bo...

21/07/2026

Really pleased to support Ripon Museums launch their renovated Workhouse Museum with a packed media call yesterday.

Congrats to all the hard-working team – staff and volunteers – who have put their heart into this brilliant museum experience. Yorkshire grit, with gruel….Ripon Museum Trust

Highlights include:

- An almost full-page photo feature and review in today’s Guardian (page 3!), and Guardian online – so chuffed the Guardian came along to support the story.

- Olivia and BBC Look North who filmed fun scenes in the schoolroom, kitchens and yard – look out for her feature on today’s programme.

- Catherine Turnbull for her always thoughtful pieces – can’t wait to see her review in Yorkshire Living

- Andrew Palmer, who has written a remarkable and moving review of the workhouse experience for Yorkshire Times

- Gerard Binks for a photo essay for the Harrogate Advertiser

- Greatest Hits Radio for dashing down last minute to do short films and interviews

- Chris Lloyd of the Northern Echo for his in-depth interviews

- The Museums Association, who will run a feature in their next Journal.

Alongside the press who came in person – the story has been covered by Stray Ferret, Yorkshire Life magazine, and Mag North.

Also to come: a feature in this Saturday’s Yorkshire Post magazine; a Q&A with the museum director Alexa Vernon in Living North magazine; and this morning Alexa is on BBC Radio York.

Good job I had my porridge for breakfast yesterday!

Thanks to the amazing talents too of photographers, Lorne Campbell (photo below) and James Glossop.

The museum opens to the public today - do check it out!

Revamped Ripon attraction reopens as a more immersive experience telling ‘national story’ of poverty and welfare

20/07/2026

A brilliant project to be part of. 👏

Today, Cause & Effect PR delivered the media launch for the newly transformed Ripon Workhouse Museum, securing national, regional and local media coverage for this remarkable redevelopment.

Opening to the public on 21 July, the museum has undergone a £2.8 million transformation, creating an immersive visitor experience that brings to life the stories of Victorian poverty, justice and survival.

Visitors can step into the shoes of Victorian paupers, vagrants and workhouse children, discovering the powerful human stories behind one of Britain’s most fascinating historic buildings.

We’re proud to have supported the launch of a project that ensures these important stories continue to educate and inspire future generations.

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18/07/2026

Congratulations to who has raised £9,500 and counting for . His epic fundraising challenge started on 5 June. He finished running the full length of the UK from John O’Groats to Lands End today, 18 July. 874 miles in total. To donate go to Rafe’s bio. Thank you so much for your support.

15/07/2026

This Saturday, our incredible friend Rafe will complete an extraordinary challenge – running the entire length of the UK from John O’Groats to Land’s End. 🇬🇧🏃‍♂️

He set off on 5 June and, despite battling tonsillitis, painful insect bites and a knee injury, he has kept putting one foot in front of the other.

Rafe has taken on this 872-mile journey in memory of his dad, who died from a brain tumour, to raise vital funds and awareness for Brain Tumour Research. 💙

If you can, please support him by donating via the link in his bio. Every donation, no matter the size, helps bring us closer to better treatments and, ultimately, a cure.

❤️

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08/07/2026

💙 Just 1% of the UK’s national spend on cancer research goes to brain tumours. That has to change.

This week, Alfie Boe and Rafe Colman-Chadwick – two sons who both lost their fathers to brain tumours – have come together to call for greater investment in research.

Brain Tumour Research is campaigning for a national annual investment of £35 million to improve survival rates and give families more hope for the future.

On 15 July, rafe_colman_chadwick will complete his Run UK challenge, reaching Land’s End after running the length of Britain in memory of his dad and to raise vital funds and awareness for brain tumour research.

Please help us spread this message. Share this post, tell others about the campaign, and help us make sure brain tumours are no longer overlooked.

💙 One in three people knows someone affected by a brain tumour.

EndBrainTumours CharityChallenge LandToEnd JohnOGroatsToLandsEnd MakeADifference

08/07/2026

Research into brain tumours receives just 1% of the UK’s national spend on cancer research. That has to change.

This week, Alfie Boe and Rafe Colman-Chadwick – two sons who both lost their fathers to brain tumours – have joined together to call for greater investment in research.

Brain Tumour Research is campaigning for a national annual investment of £35 million to help improve survival rates and outcomes, bringing brain tumour research closer to the levels of funding received by cancers such as breast cancer.

Next week, on 15 July, Rafe will complete his incredible Run UK challenge, reaching Land’s End after running the length of Britain to raise funds and awareness for this cause.

We would be so grateful if the media could help shine a light on this campaign. One in three people knows someone affected by a brain tumour. Together, we can help ensure this devastating disease is no longer overlooked.