Empowering Young Voices
Your voice matters!
Young people (13–24-year-olds) across the UK are increasingly turning to performance poetry as a mode of expression, inspired by poets such as Kae Tempest, George the Poet, and Amanda Gorman. While there is evidence of performance poetry playing a role in improving literacy, creativity and expression, there is little or no discussion of the power of performance poetry to enable marginalized young people to discover their voices in matters of social justice. To meet this need, our research will draw attention to the power of performance poetry in empowering young people who struggle to have their voices heard.
In partnership with Coventry Boys and Girls Club and performance poets John Bernard, Joelle Taylor and Philip Wilcox, this project will create a workshop series and teaching resources to help young people in Coventry to find their voice and to be empowered through the experience of having their voices heard.
Project news
- We are hosting a poetry evening and information session on 18th May for young people attending CBGC to find out more about the project and sign up to the workshops
- Our workshop series at Coventry Boys and Girls Club will be taking place June-July 2022
- We will be holding our celebration event at the Belgrade Theatre's B2 Auditorium 1st September 20222
Teaching Resources
Together with our three professional poets, Phil Wilcox, John Bernard and Joelle Taylor, we have produced a set of teaching resources that will enable teachers and youth workers across the country to help young people discover the power of their unique voices through writing and performing poetry.
Past Events: Empowering Young Voices
Join us as for a celebration of performance poetry at the Belgrade Theatre (B2) on the 1st September 6-8pm, featuring John Bernard, Joelle Taylor and Philip Wilcox, along with young people from @covboysgirlsclub! Tickets are free, and available HERELink opens in a new window.
Empowering young voices through performing poetry
- We are hosting an event for teachers and youth workers interesting in building confidence and developing expression with young people using performance poetry. Details in the flyer below.
Meet the EYV Team:
Lena Rowlands (UG Research Assistant)
Dr Karen Simecek (Principal Investigator)
Dr Andrew Cooper (Co-Investigator)
Chris Earley (Research Assistant)
In partnership with:
Funded by:
With the support of: