Organised by Gyles Brandreth and supported by Her Majesty Queen Camilla.
The Poetry Together project wants young people through schools and clubs to partner with the older generation in their local communities through care homes and community groups – either side can take the lead. We ask that you get together to perform poems for one another, whilst having having a bite to eat and a drink.
Connect over tea, cake, and your favourite poem, and you could win a prize too. What’s not to love?
On behalf of the Lord-Lieutenant, Sue Lomas OBE DL is the Poetry Together Champion for Greater Manchester. The challenge is to hold as many events as we can in each of the ten Greater Manchester Boroughs.
The Process
Step 1
Children under 18 and those of 70 years and above are asked to:
Write a poem based on a theme which will be announced in the summer term, not exceeding 14 lines
OR
choose a poem with any theme to learn by heart.
Then, practise performing them.
Step 2
Arrange a get-together with the elderly community in your local area, this could be grandparents, a community group or local care home. You could invite them into school for afternoon tea or ask a care home’s Activity Coordinator if you can visit them. Older communities can also take the lead and approach local schools.
Invite your partner school or community to write or choose a poem to perform.
Step 3
Hold your event and perform your poems to one another.
Take lots of pictures and videos (in accordance with photography permissions). If you would like, you could also provide illustrations which will make great additions to the Poetry Together anthology.
Step 4
Send your poems, pictures and videos to poetrytogether@dukeseducation.com, including the name of your poets and school.
Please let Sue Lomas know via email office@gmlo.org if you are planning an event and she will try to arrange a visit by the Lord-Lieutenant or a Deputy Lieutenant.
Further information can be found on the project website: www.poetrytogether.com