Poetry Making at the Baytree Centre

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Over two terms our poet facilitators Sally Wood, Courtney Conrad and Laila Sumpton worked with groups of young girls aged between 8 – 12 to learn about poetic forms, draw inspiration from the world around them and build their confidence and presentation skills.
The result was a wonderful selection of poetry celebrating friendship, family, The Baytree Centre and themselves. We responded to art, music and our shared environment.

Across each of the 12 weeks we gave our young poets lots of freedom and time to write, as well as
a more mechanical dissection of poetic devices. Our main aim was to guide the children into a more imaginative space in their writing.

Scroll down to find out more about the two programmes, Autumn 2023 & Summer 2024

Summer Term 2024

Our 12 week poetry programme at The Baytree Centre started in April 2024 until July 2024. Led by returning facilitators Courtney Conrad and Sally Wood and welcoming new poet facilitator Laila Sumpton. Read more about our facilitators here.

Watch our short film with some snippets of our poets!

Mum’s Chicken Soup (Haiku)
By Nyla

Smells like the whole world
Pink, comfy, amazing bed
Sounds like loud music

It was wonderful to see the writers have fun with language – without the restraints of marking, perfect handwriting and correct grammar. We have some wonderfully surreal and absurd poems about forks, we have incredibly vivid poems about parks, family life and Brixton and the girls really connected with their emotions in a brave and honest way. – Laila Sumpton, poet & facilitator (Read more from Laila)

What three words best describe the workshop sessions?

Learning, rhyming, socialising
Astonishing, wonderful, relaxing
Active, busy and successful
Best ever love!

Autumn Term 2023

Starting in September 2023, StrongBack ran 11 weeks of Poetry Making workshops for young girls aged 8-11 at the Baytree Centre, Brixton. Culminating in a final performance from every participant for parents and staff, the workshops inspired creativity and built confidence. Facilitated by award winning poet Courtney Conrad and StrongBack facilitator Sally Wood, the programme gave these young poets time to write and shape their craft.

Here’s what Courtney had to say about the programme:

Teaching poetry workshops to a vibrant group of Brixton girls aged 8 to 12 has been an absolute delight. These young minds, brimming with creativity and curiosity, have shown a remarkable eagerness to learn and embrace the world of poetry. Their enthusiasm is infectious, and their courage to read their own verses aloud and engage with contemporary poems is truly inspiring.

One of the most heartwarming aspects of this journey has been witnessing the growth in their confidence. At the start, some of the girls were hesitant, unsure if their words were worth sharing. However, as weeks turned into months, they found their voices, realizing that their thoughts and emotions were valuable and deserved to be heard. This transformation has been a testament to the power of creative expression.

Our workshops have introduced them to a wide range of contemporary poets and styles, expanding their horizons beyond their immediate surroundings. The excitement and curiosity with which they approach these new poems are a testament to their openness to new experiences and their thirst for knowledge.

As the program draws to a close after twelve amazing sessions, there is a sense of both sadness and excitement. It’s sad to say goodbye to this group of promising poets, but it’s also thrilling to think about the literary journeys they’ll embark on next. There is no doubt in my mind that these Brixton girls have the potential to do amazing things in the literary space should they choose to pursue it. Their enthusiasm, bravery, and creativity have been a joy to witness, and I am excited to see what they will achieve in the future.

The Odd One Out
By Amiira

You’re at your new school it really hard
People stare there like guards

I walk to my desk shaking like branches in the wind
It’s as if being weird is a sin

I have to be perfect and try to fit in
Or else they treat me like a bin

But, I don’t have to be perfect or fit in
I don’t care if they treat me like a bin

I know that I’m special inside
So watch me stride

That’s what I love about me
Now I’m free of popularity.

“I feel that my writing is good and I don’t have to doubt that” Sumaiyah (9)

The Shells
By Sumaiyah U

As I walked across the sandy shore
I came across this shell.
It shone like a diamond and twinkled like a star.
My pocket, a safe, so I plopped it in there for safe-keeping.
I shoved it in my bag when it was time for a relaxing swim
I wrapped it carefully in a dry towel to make sure it wouldn’t dim
But when I climbed into the water I came across another beautiful shell
It felt like crumbly sand as I scooped it up.
I loved it so!
I hope the first one didn’t mind…

Catch up on Sally’s thoughts from half term:

We have reached the half term point, and our break looks like a stack of pages ready to be typed up.
In our first session we made a big mind map all about poetry and when I asked our fabulous young participants “Who here writes poetry already?” all hands shot straight up. It was going to be an exciting 11 weeks.
We’ve covered friendship, food and free verse, London and beaches – we’ve drawn our own maps and scribbled and scribbled. After every exercise the girls share their work, they are keen and diligent writers – always negotiating with us for more time to finish, more time to share.
The Baytree Centre is full of life as all the after school clubs begin, it’s a hive of activity and the girls always bring that energy into our club.
As we move into the next half of term I’m excited to get into the editing process with them all before we practise our final performances. I have no doubt it’s going to be a fine afternoon of new poetry.

Watch this for a snippet of the workshops from Janice Quinonez

All images by Janice Quinonez

With thanks to The London Community Foundation, The Baytree Centre, and Photofusion.