What we offer Arts and culture Projects with children and young people Young Poet Laureate Worcestershire Young Poet Laureate competition is run jointly by Severn Arts and Worcestershire Libraries, celebrating the talented voices of young local poets by inviting them to submit their written poetry for the opportunity to perform at the Young Poet Laureate final. The competition is open to children and young people aged 10 – 18 who live or study in Worcestershire. The competition is judged across 3 age categories: school years 6 – 8, 9 – 11 and 12 – 13. If your poem is shortlisted, you will be invited to perform in the Young Poet Laureate final. At this event, a winner from each age category will be selected by a panel of judges. Of the three age category winners, one young person will be awarded the title of Worcestershire's Young Poet Laureate. As Young Poet Laureate you could… Have your work published Receive mentoring from professional poets Gain opportunities to perform and share your work Please note: Poems must be produced by an individual. Poems cannot be produced collaboratively by a group for example in a classroom session. Applicants must be aged 10 to 18 and living or studying in Worcestershire. If you are a teacher submitting poetry created by individuals at your school, and the submitted poem is shortlisted, we will ask for your help to contact the parent/carers of the shortlisted applicant. All shortlisted applicants will be asked to perform two poems at the Young Poet Laureate final. This will include the shortlisted poem and a second poem which could be something the applicant has already written and be about any subject area. "Before starting this project, I never could have dreamt of getting up on a stage to read my own poetry, but I’ve discovered that the stage actually offers me a place to be authentically me and to have a great time doing it! I’ve met some of the most incredible people and found so much comfort in the art form." - Amelie Simon, Worcestershire’s Young Poet Laureate 2023 Read more about Amelie’s year as Young Poet Laureate About previous Young Poet Laureate competitions Previous Young Poet Laureates have had their work published, performed live, been interviewed by local radio and commissioned to write more poetry. To find out more the Young Poet Laureate competition, take a look at some of our previous winners via the links below. 2024 2023 2021 2020 Manage Cookie Preferences