Local charity Poetic Unity and Brixton’s Black Cultural Archives have been awarded funding by The National Lottery to launch a scheme that gives young people, hit hardest by the pandemic, job opportunities in creative and arts industries.
The Cultural Leaders Youth Employment Scheme provides paid work for six young people (aged 18-30 years old) every six months with London based charities – Poetic Unity, Theatre Peckham and Black Cultural Archives.
The scheme, which is part of the Poetic Relief Project funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, gives young people real on-the-job experience in the charity and art sectors. The selected cultural leaders will run poetry workshops, events, provide support for the community and learn about the daily operations of the charity they are designated too.
The first cohort of cultural leaders started in September 2021, and they have been a great success. The Cultural Leaders have helped each charity extend their impact and they have learnt transferable skills they can use for future employment.
Ryan J. Matthews-Robinson, founder and chief executive of Poetic Unity, said: “The cultural leaders have been a breath of fresh air and have contributed to us supporting more young people in this time of
“To provide this youth employment scheme now where young people are struggling to find work is really important and I can’t wait to work with our new cohort of cultural leaders in the near future.”
Applications are now open for the second cohort of cultural leaders who will start on 1 March 2022.
If you’re 18-30 years old and would like to apply for this role please send your name, age and current employment status to info@poeticunity.org.uk with the title ‘Cultural Leaders.’
Please note applications close on Friday 4 February at 5pm.
