Callout for Schools: Rhyme & Reason
August 27, 2024
A poetry and mental health project
with Curious Minds and Steph Lampl Foundation
Are you interested in harnessing the power of poetry to support positive mental health and wellbeing in young people?
Curious Minds is looking for poets to join an exciting and innovative project, supported by the Steph Lampl Foundation.
The pandemic, cost of living crisis and social pressures have led to a growing mental health crisis among young people. Schools are increasingly relying on arts and creativity to meet this need.
The Rhyme and Reason project, funded by the Steph Lampl Foundation* and delivered by Curious Minds, aims to provide young people the opportunity to explore and experience poetry as a means of improving their wellbeing.
The pandemic, cost of living crisis and social pressures have led to a growing mental health crisis among young people. Schools are increasingly relying on arts and creativity to meet this need.
The Rhyme and Reason project, funded by the Steph Lampl Foundation* and delivered by Curious Minds, aims to provide young people the opportunity to explore and experience poetry as a means of improving their wellbeing.
*Steph Lampl Foundation
Steph was a bright and energetic young woman who loved poetry - both reading it and writing it. When she passed away, her family established The Steph Lampl Foundation in her memory. They decided to devote the Foundation’s efforts on promoting the pleasures of poetry, especially for young people who might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience it. They wish to fund work which uses poetry to support and promote the positive mental health and wellbeing of young people.
About the project
Curious Minds is partnering with Edge Hill and Salford Universities to develop the Arts For the Blues* toolkit as a non-clinical creative model.Young people will participate in a variety of unique workshops and activities that use poetry to promote better mental health through reading, writing and spoken word. Drawing on the work of inspirational poets, they'll look for existing compositions that convey their sentiments, hopes and dreams. They'll also use their own experiences and unique perspectives to express their thoughts and emotions, allowing them to explore their creative and human potential.
The project will take place between October 2024 and July 2025.
*Arts for the Blues
Arts for the Blues is a creative arts-based group intervention for depression, low mood and anxiety, developed by researchers and artists at the universities of Edge Hill and Salford in the North West of England. It is an evidence-based model for delivering creative psychotherapies with adults and children.
Who we're looking for
Curious Minds is looking for 5 early-to mid-career poets and 1 mid-to late career poet mentor to take part in this exciting project for Key Stage 3 and 4 pupils.This opportunity offers 11-12 days work (depending on role) and there are several predetermined project dates on which artists must be available to work. These are outlined in the Project Brief.
How to apply
The deadline for applications is 9am on Monday 30th September 2024. Interviews will be held during the week beginning 7th Octover 2024.Interested applicants are advised to first read this Project Brief in full. This document gives further details of the project timelines and the requirements of each role, as well as rates of pay.
Then complete the online application form, which can be accessed at the links below. Please ensure you choose the correct form.
