I work for Eastside a creative arts charity that believes that every child should have the chance to unlock and explore thier creativty no matter what their background or circumstances.

This summer it is our 25th birthday and to celebrate we are fundraising as a team for our 25th anniversary national project, plus building up a fund to allow us to work more widely in schools across London. Our chair is doing a three day 'Try-Art-Lon': 5k swim, 170k cycle and 25k run. On the 7th September I am joining him on the the 170km cycle ride through every London borough (!?!) to represent all the communities and schools we work in.

Our national project is know I wish I will (https://knowwishwill.com/) which will launch in September and will give children and young people across 6 regions of England with low cultural provision the chance to take part in artist-lead workshops to unlock their creative potential and create spoken word performances inspired by the title.  These workshops can make a real impact in schools:

"The quieter children in the class felt like they had a voice and a role as they were all given parts to play within the sessions...Children have become more confident when sharing their ideas with children they wouldn't normally work with.” Yr 5 Teacher, Oakington Manor (Verse vs Verse)

“Working with Eastside for the last two years has been brilliant. I truly believe we’ve had a huge impact at [the school] and I’m sure that hard work will continue.” Teacher, Marion Richardson Primary

There is then a competition that is open to anyone aged 5-25 to submit thier poems, 500 of which will be selected to be be read live by the poets as part of a 25 hour live-streamed poetry marathon next March, a moment where young people across the country will come together to tell the world what they know about their world, what they wish thier world could be and what they will do to make that change happen.

Part of the funds raised by this will go to support that programme, particularly in helping with travel bursaries so that any young person across the country can come be part of this unique event, regardless of circumstances, and celebrate the diversity of voices that makes this country so special.

We are also fundraising to be able to work more widely across London, and be able to offer subsidised or free workshops to schools where mounting budgetary pressures mean arts provision is being cut, and in some areas there are no opportunites for creative engagement.

“This was an absolutely breathtaking workshop! To see the children so
enthused by the sessions was refreshing to see…” Teacher, St Mary’s C of E Primary School (Anansi Adventures)