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Poetry Together is an annual initiative that celebrates the joy and benefits of learning poetry by heart and reciting it, across generations.
Now in its sixth year, the project was launched when Dukes Education teamed up with lover of language and leading broadcaster Gyles Brandreth to launch the nationwide scheme. which encourages schools to pair up with local care homes. School children of any age learn a poem, the old folks learn the same poem, and then they get together to perform their poem, and have tea together. The initiative begins every year on National Poetry Day and runs for several weeks in Autumn.
2024 registration is now open. Keep up to date with the initiative and register here.
Over 500 schools and care homes across the UK have now participated in Poetry Together.
Over the last two years, whether in person or online, we have seen fantastic performances including colourful costumes, handmade posters, and even sign language! The many photos and emails sent in by the participants clearly showed the joy and value everyone found in this initiative, and many promised to organise future meet ups and establish a regular programme of sharing poetry together.
A highlight of our campaign has been the Inaugural Poetry Together Nationwide Tea Party, held at Eaton Square Senior School in Mayfair.
Five schools and their care home partners came together for an afternoon of performing their poems to a very special guest – Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall. Gyles Brandreth hosted the event and the audience was treated to poems in English, Welsh, and even Polish. The students and care home residents were equally excited to recite their lines and The Duchess of Cornwall even took to the stage herself to perform ‘Matilda’ by Roald Dahl with students from Knightsbridge School. Finally, everyone settled down to enjoy well-deserved tea and cake and both young and old agreed that it had been a day to remember.
Register your school to take part in Poetry Together and to keep up to date with the campaign. You will also receive your free Poetry Together Kit.
Participation is completely free, open to all schools and elderly groups, and led by the school and care home themselves.
To find out more, visit the Poetry Together website, where you can register your school or care home. It’s free, fun, and a wonderful way to celebrate the magic of sharing poetry across generations.
