Spread the Word’s Young People’s Laureate for London Theresa Lola gives London’s young people a voice through poetry. You can check out Theresa’s summer mental health campaign #MyMentalHealthJourney here
The Young People’s Laureate’s mission is to:
• Raise the visibility of poetry in the capital, nationally and internationally;
• Engage and inspire London’s young people with poetry through the issues that affect them;
• Support the development of London’s talented young poets in a tangible way.
Each year an esteemed judging panel selects a poet to become the Young People’s Laureate for London. Caleb Femi was the first Young People’s Laureate 2016-18. Momtaza Mehri was the Young People’s Laureate 2018-19. Previously, Spread the Word ran the Young Poet Laureate scheme, a role which was held by Selina Nwulu, Aisling Fahey and Warsan Shire.
During her tenure, Theresa will work with young people (aged 13-25) and will be engaging young people across London with poetry through: residencies and commissions; co-curating a Poetry Lab for talented young poets.
The programme is funded by Arts Council England and supported by a wide range of partners.
You can keep up to date with what the Young People’s Laureate for London is doing here, or through social media #youngpeopleslaureate
If you’d like to book the Laureate for a residency, event or commission, please email laureate@spreadtheword.org.uk
