Our Vision
A world in which young people are able to reach their highest potential because they are safe, heard and empowered to express themselves authentically.
Our mission
To provide safe spaces, programmes and opportunities that enable marginalised young
people to unlock their full potential.
We use poetry as a tool to give a voice to the voiceless; supporting young people's education, confidence, self esteem and mental wellbeing.
Our Values
Authenticity
We believe that in order for young people to fulfill their potential, they should feel comfortable in their own skin. So, we bring our own authentic selves and demonstrate that there is strength in being vulnerable and true to who you are.
integrity
We lead by example, encouraging an honest and open dialogue with the young people we support; in the hope that their futures will be built on strong moral principles.
The young people we work with are full of untapped potential. We feel it is our duty to do all we can to help them unlock it and we work to the highest standards to achieve this.
The work we do with our young people can be deep and sometimes triggering. So we work with kindness and compassion, striving to bring light where there is darkness.
We provide safe spaces to bring people together from all walks of life; encouraging inclusivity, inter-generational connections and the sharing of perspectives.
Give a voice to the voiceless
In society young people are often silenced and ridiculed for their views. We believe its critical that young people have a voice, so we create safe and friendly environments for young people to express themselves and feel valued in the community.
USE LIVED EXPERIENCE TO UNLOCK POTENTIAL
Our team comes with lived experience of being marginalised and we use this understanding to inform the way we work. Our approach makes mainstream education more engaging, helps to improve behaviour and equips young people with skills that will serve them throughout their lives.
IMPROVE MENTAL WELLBEING
We provide programmes to educate young people on mental health and support them with holistic methods such as writing poetry, to help them face their issues in a safe and non-judgemental environment.
WHAT WE DO
Our impacT
1,421 services provided
We've held 804 events and 617 workshops, a total of 1,421 services for young people since 2015.
40,000+young people reached
We have reached 40,000 + young people in the UK and worldwide through our services since 2015.
POETIC UNITY X TRANSPORT FOR LONDON
10 POETS, 5 TUBE STATIONS FOR WORLD POETRY DAY
Poetic Unity teamed up with Transport for London (TfL) to give a platform to 10 young poets for World Poetry Day (21st March 2024.) Poets from Poetic Unity wrote poems on the theme of community, which were projected from sound systems at Brixton and Stockwell tube stations over the weekend.
One of the young poets, Selorm Adonu, 21, from Croydon, said: “Community is important to me because it’s where you learn different perspectives. Everything from uncle at the barber shop or going to the hairdressers with my mum – it’s the same sort of lessons you learn in the home.”
As part of the project, the young peoples poems were also printed on to posters which were put up around London Bridge, Waterloo, Victoria, Brixton and Stockwell tube stations. “We are honoured we got to celebrate world poetry day by platforming some of our amazing young people’s poetry,” said Ryan J. Matthews-Robinson, Founder and CEO of Poetic Unity.
Community is a key value of ours and something that is integral to a functioning society. We are constantly looking at ways of platforming young voices and giving young people opportunities to be seen and heard, which is why it was amazing that thousands of people got to read our young people's poetry. Thank you to TfL and the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation for the support.”
Watch the video above to check out the full World Poetry Day activities including the poets performing their poems and sharing their views on community. Read more details about the campaign here.
Esmée Fairbairn Foundation Funding
POETIC UNITY RECEIVE £180,000 FUNDING BOOSt
Poetic Unity has received a significant financial boost from the esteemed Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. The foundation, known for its commitment to improving the natural world, securing a fairer future, and strengthening community bonds, has chosen to support Poetic Unity's impactful youth initiatives. Poetic Unity will receive funding of £180,000 total over the next three years starting from January 2024 which will help the charity build on its infrastructure and create campaigns to increase awareness of sickle cell disease, anti-misogyny, and homelessness plus much more.
Poetic Unity shares Esmée Fairbairn Foundation's dedication to creating positive change, especially at a grassroots local level. The newly secured funding will empower Poetic Unity to expand its reach and amplify its impact on communities. New job opportunities and training will become available for young people with Poetic Unity aiming to train up to 20 young people a year on how to run programmes and support their own business ventures.
Catherine Hillis, Director of a Fairer Future at Esmée Fairbairn, commented:
“We’re thrilled to be supporting Poetic Unity, who provide safe and inclusive spaces for young people to explore their creative expression, supporting them to raise their aspirations and influence change in their lives and the world around them. Their close connection to the young people they work with ensures Poetic Unity’s programmes are responsive and relevant. And whilst they are based in South London, their impact spans the UK, with exciting partnerships that have brought their programmes to Manchester, Birmingham and Scotland.”
The collaboration between Poetic Unity and Esmée Fairbairn Foundation demonstrates the potential for impactful partnerships to drive positive change in communities. Poetic Unity looks forward to utilising this funding to continue its mission.
