Join us for a series of 4 poetry workshops with Muneera Pilgrim, run by OTR and held at Bristol Old Vic. Whether you’re an experienced poet, don’t exactly think of yourself as a poet, or have never written poetry before, we’d love for you, your voice and vision to be in the room. We’re interested in how poetry can play a role in everyday life – how it could be used to express or support ourselves, to articulate our experiences and the things that feel important to us, to connect with others and build community

In the 4 sessions there’ll be activities, exercises and themes to guide/inspire you and to give you a springboard into writing or speaking. There will be space to experiment with writing in a way that feels good and useful to you. We’re here to give you tools, confidence, and the space to say what you want to say; it’s your voice and your language that matter. By the end of the project, we hope you’ll have a sense of belonging in the space, connection to other participants, confidence in your own ability and voice, and that you’ll have more of a sense of what poetry can do for you in your everyday life.

Who is this for? 

This project is for young black people (including mixed heritage) in Bristol & South Gloucestershire, aged 13-17. We recognise the barriers young black people face and wanted to create this project specifically for you. 

The group will be maximum 12 people. 

Please note we often have more sign-ups than places for these programmes. We’ll be in touch after you’ve signed up to confirm whether we can offer you a space this time or not. 

Where?  

Bristol Old Vic, Kings Street, Bristol, BS1 4ED 

We can support with transport if needed, just let us know when you sign up. 

When? 

Monday 13th October, 6-8pm 

Monday 20th October, 6-8pm 

Monday 27th October, 6-8pm 

Monday 3rd November, 6-8pm

Who’s leading these workshops? 

Muneera Pilgrim is an international Poet, Cultural Producer, Writer, Broadcaster, Community Researcher,  TEDx Speaker  and WOW Festival Speaker. She performs, conducts workshops, guest lectures, hosts, and finds alternative ways to educate and exchange ideas while focusing on methodologies of empowerment for non-centred people. At heart, Muneera is a storyteller, concerned with telling stories to disrupt mainstream narratives of non-centred people globally.  Muneera was awarded a 5-year writing residency with Bristol Old Vic in January 2025 and her Debut Poetry collection ‘That Day She’ll Proclaim Her Chronicles’ was published by Burning Eye Books and is available wherever books live. Rooted in spirituality she uses communication and art for edification, enrichment and change. 

What happens after the project? 

Depending on what you’re interested in, we can create opportunities to perform your poems, have them broadcast, or print a collection of poems created during the project. We’ll be led by you and what you want out of these workshops. We also hope you’ll feel part of a community of other young people interested in writing or performing poetry. 

Our inspiration: 

“The poets (by which I mean all artists) are finally the only people who know the truth about us.” 

– James Baldwin 

“Poetry is the way we help give name to the nameless so it can be thought. The farthest horizons of our hopes and fears are cobbled by our poems, carved from the rock experiences of our daily lives.” 

— Audre Lorde 

This project is part of ‘Art Works’, OTR’s creative offer in Bristol & South Gloucestershire. You can find out more about other creative projects here.