The prize is back for the fourth year running, featuring a workshop for all participants and new judges

Happiful magazine is thrilled to announce the Happiful Poetry Prize for the fourth year running. The prize, which has proved incredibly popular with readers over the past few years, celebrates the best in mental health and wellbeing writing.

Open from 1 September 2026, submissions are free to participants from the UK. One winner will receive a cash prize of £100 and four runners-up will receive a £25 book token. The winner and shortlisters will also have their poems published in Happiful magazine in the new year. The deadline for entries is 11.59pm on 30 October 2026.

New for 2027, each entrant will receive an invitation to an exclusive online poetry workshop led by poet Sophie Dumont, delivered in partnership with The Rebecca Swift Foundation. The foundation is the UK’s only charity dedicated to supporting and championing women poets at every stage of their careers, making the workshop an opportunity for emerging poets to develop their craft regardless of whether they are shortlisted.

Judges will be looking for original poems up to 25 lines that explore the topic of mental health and wellbeing. The judges are after engaging, empowered, passionate writing with unique voices and fresh perspectives. 

This year's judges are made up of the Happiful editorial team, Acting Editor Kathryn Wheeler and Features Editor Fiona Fletcher Reid, alongside two acclaimed guest judges, Deborah Alma and Richard Tyler. 

Award-winning poet, editor, and co-founder of the Poetry Pharmacy bookshops, Deborah Alma has spent years championing the power of poetry. Poet, psychotherapist, and Counselling Directory member Richard Tyler brings a unique perspective to this year's judging panel. 

Acting Editor, Kathryn Wheeler, comments:

“This year’s prize is our biggest yet. Alongside an exceptional judging panel, every entrant will receive an invitation to an exclusive online workshop with professional poet Sophie Dumont, thanks to our partnership with The Rebecca Swift Foundation.

“At the heart of what we want to do with the Happiful Poetry Prize is to open up the power of writing poetry for our mental health and wellbeing. Whether you’ve written poetry before or this is your first time putting pen to paper, I’d encourage everyone to get involved. You may surprise yourself with the results!” 

About Happiful

Happiful is an award-winning wellbeing magazine dedicated to helping people live healthier, happier lives. Launched in 2017, Happiful shares expert advice, inspiring real-life stories, practical tools, and thought-provoking features covering mental health, relationships, lifestyle, and personal growth.

As part of its mission to make support more accessible, you can read the digital edition for free at subscribe.happiful.com.

Follow @happifulhq on social media.