​

​

90% of secondary schools are making cuts to creative subjects

– BBC

​

Engaging with literature can be off-putting for anybody. Those who have things that get in the way of accessing education or ‘the arts’ can find it particularly difficult. And yet spoken word and poetry can make a huge impact in the lives of young people. We know the power that poetry can have and what giving a pencil or a microphone to a young person and telling them we want to hear what they have to say can do.

​

That is why we are providing free workshops to schools, youth groups and alternative education settings across the Midlands who work with young people most in need of creative engagement. Our workshops use poetry as a tool to engage and inspire young people, encouraging them to see poetry as a relevant means of self expression and social commentary. Sessions are tailored to the needs of the group and led by industry experts including Joelle Taylor, Jess Green, John Berkavitch, Deborah ‘Debris’ Stevenson, Caleb Parkin and more.

We have limited resources and are currently prioritising young people who:

​

- attend low income and/or attainment schools

- have left or been removed from mainstream education

- live in areas of identified ‘cultural deprivation’

- identify as LGBTQ+

​

Unfortunately we are nearly at capacity with our current workshop outreach offer. If you are working with a group of young people who would benefit from one of our sessions, please get in touch or alternatively you could look into some of our partners who may be able to help: Writing East Midlands, Writing West Midlands, Apples & Snakes or Beatfreeks.

​

Studies suggest links between creative activities and improved

mental health

– Maria Cohut

​

Feedback following UniSlam workshops:

​

“We have never seen the young people engage as much as they did in any other session before.”

 – Social Worker, LGBT+ Network Nottinghamshire

 

“The session delivered by Joelle was amazing. She asked the young people simple questions which allowed them to expand their knowledge and creativity... the session allowed our students to step into a new light.”

– Youth Worker, Youth Education Project Leicester

​

​