Poet

About Lou Poet -

I am a professional poet, performer, and facilitator with over two decades of experience bringing words to life. My work spans everything from high-energy performances to transformative creative writing workshops. I believe poetry is for absolutely everyone - a philosophy reflected in my teaching history, where my youngest students were pre-schoolers and my oldest was 96 years young in a community care home.

Whether leading corporate team-building events, training educators or performing my poetry, my mission is to inspire connection, confidence and creativity through spoken word.

Corporate Events & Commissions
I have facilitated bespoke corporate events and team-building workshops. I have collaborated with major global brands, high-profile venues and organizations to deliver unique creative experiences.
  • BP Oil
  • Boots
  • Hilton Hotel Group
  • Manchester United Football Club (Old Trafford)
  • Woolworths
  • Chorus Regal Hotel Group
  • Starbucks Coffee Company (Appointed Poet in Residence for the East Midlands, facilitating school workshops and cafe performances)
  • Lincolnshire Music Service (Commissioned to collaborate with school children to write poetry-inspired lyrics for the Lincolnshire Music Festival)
  • ASDA Superstore 
Educational & Professional Development
I have previously facilitated training sessions for teaching staff and educational leadership, helping institutions integrate creative learning into their environments.
  • NCC Adult & Community Learning Service (Facilitated workshops for Ofsted/Local Authority Inspectors)
  • CFBT Education Trust (Workshop facilitator for the Rooted in Reading project, and workshop facilitator/competition judge for Lincs SLAM JAM)
  • Creative Partnerships (Creative learning programme)
  • Higher & Further Education: Nottingham Trent University, West Nottinghamshire College, Portland College, Sutton Centre Community College, and Broxtowe Borough College.
Community, Healthcare & Advocacy
I am deeply committed to using poetry as a tool for well-being, community building and social impact, working closely with vulnerable groups and charities.
  • Charity Partners: MIND, Headway, and Emmaus Homelessness Charity
  • Community Arts: Junction Arts, ABC Arts, Artizen, County Youth Arts, and E2E
  • Community Groups: The Women’s Institute (Notts) and U3A (University of the Third Age)
  • Public & Civic Sectors: Adult Community Learning Service (ACLS), NIACE Adult Learners Award Ceremonies, and regional libraries, churches, parks, and residential care homes.
Festivals & Performances
As a performer, my work has taken me to comedy clubs, theatres and literature festivals across the UK and internationally.
  • International: The House of Comedy (Niagara Falls, Canada)
  • Festivals: Nottingham Poetry in the City, Derby Festival of Words, Southwell Book Festival, Lincoln Book Festival, Wirksworth Festival, TREE FEST, and Mansfield Summer in the Streets.
  • Theatres & Civic Venues: Nottingham Albert Hall, The Y Theatre (Leicester), and Mansfield Palace Theatre.
  • Spoken Word & Independent Venues: The Voice Box (Derby), The Maze (Nottingham), Blackdrop (Nottingham), The Alley Café, Dead Poets Inn, Groucho’s Bar, The Art Café, and Muse (Bonsall).
  • Local Authorities: Partnered on cultural events with Nottinghamshire, Nottingham City, Lincolnshire, Derby City, and Mansfield District Councils.

I am available for performance/workshop facilitating & public speaking. Please use the contact page to get in touch if you require any of these services and I will be only too pleased to send further information.