Through my work as a Poetry Tutor, I worked on a large-scale multi-genre professional arts project staged at the Barbican Arts Centre. This project brought together a consortium of youth groups—including dancers, poets, musicians, and drummers—to express the thoughts and feelings surrounding issues faced by London’s youth, such as postcode wars, gang involvement, lack of opportunities, and the divisive impact of the London riots. I’ve seen firsthand the transformative power of art to provoke social change, especially in response to challenging and turbulent times. My love for community-based initiatives was cemented by facilitating on this project, which allowed participants to connect personally and collectively through performance, exploring how art and audience participation drive social engagement.

To watch a trailer for the performance, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FD0lLSM5-eQ