From Escape Room to Medway Youth Poet Laureate

If you were thinking about entering our Youth Poet Laureate Competition, but weren't sure, guest writer Indigo Rose shares their experience of being one of our first Medway Youth Poet Laureates, a scheme run in partnership with Medway Libraries.

Medway Youth Poet Laureate Indigo Rose

"Last October, while taking a photo after surviving an escape room, I received an email from Wordsmithery to say I was one of the winners from the Medway Youth Poet Laureate competition. I had only considered poetry writing a small hobby – just something to fill time when I found any inspiration. It was that moment I decided to take poetry seriously and involve it more in my daily life. Since, I’ve written nearly two hundred poems (most of which I hope never leave my laptop screen, though I did enjoy writing them), I’ve experimented with different styles and themes and I hope I have developed and refined the skills needed to write poetry since that moment outside of the escape room.

As part of my new dedication to poetry, I decided to enter my school’s poetry competition for its fortieth anniversary, which I was fortunate enough to win for my year group. I struggle frequently with stage fright, but since being involved with Wordsmithery, I’ve had many chances to confront (and thankfully survive) that fear. First of all, the opportunity to read my winning poem aloud in the prize giving during Medway River Lit. Later on, we were invited to help with a poetry workshop at a local school, in which I was able to answer questions and talk to all the participants without hyperventilating, which I considered quite the achievement. More recently, Wordsmithery kindly let me do some work experience with them (this included help with social media, designing neurodivergent guides, and filming routes to different venues – as well as receiving a Medway River Lit t-shirt which is absolutely my new favourite piece of clothing), and while helping out with the local event Poetry in the Garden, I was able to perform a couple poems; I found I not only survived the experience, but really enjoyed the chance to share some writing with other, more experienced poets. I have now discovered that a stage does not usually cause instant death, but is a friendly and thrilling environment.

The gorgeous garden setting for 'Poetry in the Garden'

Additionally, I was invited as a Medway Youth Laureate to be one of the judges for the final of Symposium – a public speaking competition for Grammar school students across Kent and Medway. All of the speeches were brilliant and it proved incredibly difficult to make the final decision, but it was an unforgettable experience that I am very grateful to have been a part of.

The greatest benefit from being a Medway Youth Laureate is University. Aside from grades, super-curriculars (extra-curriculars that relate to your chosen course) are arguably the most important aspect of an application as they show that you are passionate about the subject and sets you apart from other candidates. In the year or two before applications start, super-curriculars are sought after like diamonds. But as I wish to study English at university, thanks to the Medway Youth Laureate scheme, I now have quite the list of super-curriculars for my personal statement (including this blog post). My chances of getting into an esteemed university are now greatly increased than if I had never entered the competition at all – provided I study well in Sixth Form. Above all of this, my favourite part of my journey with Wordsmithery so far (excluding the t-shirt) is the people. I was able to reconnect with my tutor for the 11+ which was a delightful surprise. Furthermore, Sam and Barry have both been so lovely to work with and are amazing people and I will forever be grateful to them for the opportunities they have given me."

We've got some exciting news coming soon about the Medway Youth Laureate Scheme, so, if you were on the fence, do enter for your chance to be in with our next cohort of young poets - who knows where the poetry journey might take you! This year's topic is 'Earth, Air, Fire and Water'. The deadline is 13 September.

For more details on how to enter the Medway Youth Poet Laureate competition, please take a look at our website.