Poetic Unity is a Black-led charity that provides spaces for learning, expression and joy through poetry. Based in Brixton, Poetic Unity offers a service by the community, for the community, predominantly supporting young people of Black and mixed-Black heritage, aged 10-30.
In a new campaign, Giving Blood in Unity, young people use poetry to raise awareness of the importance of giving blood particularly amongst Black communities.
Poetic Unity's work centres the needs and experiences of the young people they support, recognising poetry as a therapeutic tool that unites and heals communities, celebrates identity and challenges injustice. From Brixton to the world, they work locally and internationally, amplifying suppressed voices and creating safe spaces of connectivity. Through targeted education, employment, social justice and mental health support, they are transforming spaces of harm to be spaces of healing and development.
Connection to Esmée's strategy
- Priorities
- Long-term outcomes
- Youth-led creativity builds on young people's power to make change, using creativity to enhance their lives, develop their careers, and influence the world around them.
Through their work, they also raise awareness and campaign on issues young people care about. For instance, they have partnered with ACLT, a charity working to register donors from all ethnicities, for a campaign highlighting the need for more young Black people to give blood (see video above).
And in their campaign, Clean Air For The Ends, they raise awareness of air pollution and the racial injustice attached in air quality. Through the campaign, they want to promote alternative travel options such as riding bikes and roller skating for young Black and marginalised people.
