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Could you be »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ’s next Young Poet Laureate?

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Libraries

Applications are NOW OPEN to find »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ’s next Young Poet Laureate - and it could be you!

»Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ County Council’s Libraries and Public Health teams, in collaboration with Severn Arts, are looking for young writers in school years 6 to 13 who are ready to unleash their creativity and speak out about the topics that matter most to them.

How to enter

Young people living or studying in »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ can participate by submitting a poem on the theme of ‘courage.’ Submissions will be judged across three age groups:

  • school years 6 to 8
  • school years 9 to 11
  • school years 12 to 13

Finalists from each category will perform live at The Hive in Worcester, where a winner will be selected from each group. One of these winners will earn the prestigious title of »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ’s Young Poet Laureate 2025.

»Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ’s Young Poet Laureate 2024, Iona Campbell, shares her experience: "The competition is an amazing journey. The themes spark originality, and being part of it connects you to a wider community of poets. It feels incredible to take part. Good luck to everyone entering this year!"

The competition is jointly run by »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ County Council Library Service and Severn Arts and funded by Public Health »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ. It celebrates the county’s talented young poets, offering incredible opportunities. Previous Young Poet Laureates have had their work published, performed live, been interviewed by local radio, and commissioned to write more poetry. 

Councillor Karen May, Cabinet Member for Communities at »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ County Council, said: "This competition is a wonderful opportunity for young people to showcase their talent and creativity while also building confidence and connecting with others who share their passion. The experiences gained here can be truly transformative, inspiring personal growth and opening doors to future opportunities."

Jen Loffman, Community Producer at Severn Arts, adds:
"The »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ Young Poet Laureate competition is always a reminder of young people’s creativity and passion. Every year, we are amazed by the new perspectives and powerful voices they bring to the stage. This competition is not just about poetry, it’s an opportunity for young people to speak about their thoughts and experiences. We can't wait to read some exciting poetry this year and to continue celebrating young voices in »Æ¹ÏÊÓƵ.â€

To find out more information and apply, visit

The deadline for applications is 5:00pm on Friday 28 March 2025. The final will take place at The Hive on Sunday 27 April 2025.