Job Opportunities

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Poetry Workshop Facilitator

Location: Portsmouth, UK
Contract Type: Freelance (3 workshops)
Fee: £600 total (including prep) + up to £40/day for travel
Dates & Times: Thursdays, October–November 2025 | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Closing Date Of Application: 14th July 2025

About This New Ground

This New Ground is an ambitious arts initiative based in Portsmouth, dedicated to elevating the creative voices of people with a learning disability. Our mission is to break down barriers and create meaningful opportunities for individuals with a learning disability to lead, participate in, and thrive through the arts.

As part of our two-year Groundwork Project, we’ve been collecting oral histories from people with a learning disability in Portsmouth—stories often excluded from traditional historical records. These stories will be celebrated at Portsmouth’s first learning disability-led arts festival and exhibition at Aspex Portsmouth in May 2026.

Role Summary

We are seeking an experienced Poetry Workshop Facilitator to lead three poetry workshops for adults with a learning disability in Portsmouth. These workshops will provide participants with the opportunity to create poetry in response to the oral history stories they have gathered as part of the Groundwork project over the past year. The poetry created will allow participants to creatively reflect on, interpret, and express these important stories through their own voices.

The poetry produced during these workshops will be showcased as part of the Groundwork exhibition at Aspex Portsmouth. Selected pieces will be featured in this exhibition, which will run for three months, contributing to the overall celebration of the participants' work.

Workshop Objectives:

Support participants in creating original poetry that responds to the oral history stories they have collected during the project.
Foster a creative, inclusive environment where participants can express their thoughts and feelings through poetry.
Encourage collaboration and sharing of ideas, building a sense of community among participants.

Key Responsibilities:

Plan and deliver three engaging and accessible poetry workshops for people with a learning disability.
Guide participants in creating poetry using the oral history stories they have collected as inspiration.
Adapt your approach to meet the diverse needs and abilities of participants, ensuring an inclusive and supportive environment.
Create a safe space for participants to explore their creativity and express their thoughts and emotions.
Provide constructive feedback to participants and assist them in refining their poetry.

Person Specification:

Experience facilitating creative workshops, particularly with adults with a learning disability.
Strong background in poetry, creative writing, or a related field.
Passion for inclusive arts and empowering people with learning disabilities to express themselves creatively.
Excellent communication skills and the ability to adapt your approach to suit diverse abilities and needs.
An understanding of the challenges faced by people with a learning disability, with a commitment to creating an inclusive and respectful environment.
Previous experience working in partnership with arts organisations, such as This New Ground, is desirable.

We Welcome Applications From:

Individuals with lived experience of disability.
People based in Portsmouth or nearby.
Artists and facilitators passionate about inclusive arts and disability-led work.