Poetry Together brings younger and older generations together through the joy of poetry and we're inviting units of all sections in London and South East England to get involved!
The challenge
Getting young people and older people together for tea, cake and poetry until 24th November.
Step 1
Children under 18 and those of 70 years and above are asked to write a poem based on the theme, ''happiness', 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 to your meeting place for refreshments or ask if you can visit them. Invite your partner community to write or choose a poem to perform. Register your event on the Poetry Together website.
You can search for a care home locally or use the EAC directory. You can also approach local community organisations (such as the u3a), places of worship and community centres.
Step 3
Hold your event and perform your poems to one another. Take lots of pictures and videos (be sure to check your unit's photography permissions and those of the group you've partnered with). 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, the name(s) of your poet(s) and unit to the Poetry Together team at poetrytogether@dukeseducation.com copying in Girlguiding London and South East England at communications@girlguidinglaser.org.uk. The deadline for entries is 24th November 2023. On social media, post using the hashtags #poetrytogether2023 and #poetrytogetherLaSER
Poetry Together have some exciting prizes available, including an invitation to present your poem on ITV's This Morning, inclusion of your poem in the Poetry Together Anthology, a copy of which will be held in the Royal Library and British Library, as well as £250 worth of books. The prizes are being administered by Poetry Together, who will be in touch to inform you if they are able to offer any of these opportunities.
Download the Poetry Together information kit.
Happiness is Guiding!
Helen Beecher-Bryant from Girlguiding Greater London Kent has kicked off the challenge, sharing her poem 'Happiness is Guiding' at a launch event with HM the Queen and Gyles Brandreth, which you can see below. At the event, chief commissioner Amanda Teasel also had the opportunity to talk with Queen Camilla about the important role that Girlguiding plays in offering a girl-only space.
