Isle of Wight writer, publisher and community arts leader, Lottie Begg, has announced her involvement in the Young Poet Laureate Programme 2025, a free national initiative run by the National Poetry Centre and the National Literacy Trust.
The scheme is designed to inspire Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 pupils across England through classroom resources, live events and mentoring from professional poets.
Lottie, founder and director of Lemon Jelly Press CIC, will visit schools to share poetry, run creative workshops and encourage pupils to find their own voices through writing. She will also draw on her recently published children’s poetry collection, A Little Book of Awesome Poems, which mixes fun, silly rhymes with more meaningful pieces about feelings and everyday life. Some of these poems will be performed and explored during her school visits.
Alongside her work with the national programme, Lottie is also spearheading the creation of the Isle of Wight’s first official Poet Laureate programme, due to launch early next year.
The Young Poet Laureate programme includes free classroom resources and lesson plans, Young Poets Week from 24th-28th November featuring online masterclasses with poets Laura Mucha, Zohab Zee Khan, Karl Nova and Nikita Gill, and the chance for schools to receive one of 120 free in-person poet visits for an interactive poetry assembly. Pupils will also have the opportunity to apply to become regional Young Poet Laureates and represent their area nationally.
Lottie has said:
“I’m thrilled to be part of such an inspiring initiative. Poetry can give children a new way to express themselves, boost their confidence, and help them see the world differently.
“Having the chance to share my own poems with schools and encourage pupils to create their own feels like a real privilege. And with the Isle of Wight’s first Poet Laureate programme launching early next year, it’s a very exciting time to be celebrating poetry both nationally and locally.”
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Schools across England can register for the Young Poet Laureate programme free of charge at www.literacytrust.org.uk/programmes/young-writers/young-poet-laureate.
