VERVE FESTIVAL of
POETRY & SPOKEN WORD
WHAT WE DO
We platform emerging voices and bring internationally acclaimed poets to Birmingham.
We champion access, equity, and innovation in poetry.
We believe that poetry can be an agent for connection, care, cultural representation and joy.
'VERVE is one of Britain's finest literary festivals bringing the most exciting new and experienced poets to enthusiastic audiences.
One of my favourite festivals anywhere!'
- Daljit Nagra
radio presenter of the weekly Poetry Extra on Radio 4 Extra, former Chair of the Royal Society of Literature, Council of Society of Authors, national advisor to Poetry By Heart, and a PBS New Generation Poet.
WHAT WE DELIVER
16
FESTIVAL
EVENTS
20
IN-PERSON
WORKSHOPS
50+
POETS &
PERFORMERS
2000+
TICKETS
SOLD
FOOTFALL
500
ONLINE
PARTICIPANTS
5,930
EMAIL
SUBSCRIBERS
400+
POETRY BOOKS
SOLD
400+
POETRY BOOKS
SOLD
of LIVE
EVENTS
3600+
£5000
REDISTRIBUTED
TO EARLY-CAREER
POETS/WRITERS
5 DAYS
WHO WE SERVE
YOU BELONG HERE!!
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Emerging poets and writers both nationally and internationally
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Practicing professional poets and spoken word artists
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Curious readers and seasoned poetry lovers
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Young poets aged 16–25
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Primary and secondary school children across Birmingham.
CELEBRATING INCLUSIVE / DIVERSE / EXPERIMENTAL AUDIENCES + POETRY
Our audience is as diverse as our poetry, reflecting a tapestry of multicultural, multigender, diasporic, international, and hyper-local communities - everyone is welcomed with open arms.​​
'VERVE Poetry Festival Stands at the beating heart of all that is poetry, and all that might be.
Bibrant, alive, provactive and curious - we need more festivals like this.'
- Joelle Taylor
Joelle Taylor is the T. S. Eliot Prize-winning poet, former UK Slam Champion, and founder of SLAMbassadors, whose work has electrified international stages and earned her an MBE for services to poetry.
WHAT WE NEED
We’re building something meaningful, but we can’t do it alone.
VERVE is a Community Interest Company run by working artists.
Our ambition is always bigger than our budget.
The economic climate for culture has diminished after decades of austerity, and though we have continued to evolve and establish new ground due to our personal commitment, we've done so sacrificially because we love what we do so much.
Being funding dependant makes our work very difficult to achieve and maintain. So far we are supported primarily by Arts Council England, with the rest of our income coming from our workshop series. This is not a sustainable business model, and though we are not a 'profit making' CIC, we do need substantial investment and support to keep VERVE going!
To grow sustainably, remain accessible, and continue championing new voices, we need support.​
​​​​YOUR SPONSORSHIP HELPS US TO:
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Provide outreach and education to young and emerging writers
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Run accessible, inclusive, and representative programming
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Commission and publish new work
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Document and share voices from the Midlands and beyond
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Keep ticket prices low and workshops accessible
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Offer opportunities to underrepresented communities
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Provide long-term development for emerging artists
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Platform new literature and amplify unheard voices
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Cover core production, print, access, and documentation costs
WHAT YOU GET
Sponsoring VERVE is more than visibility — it’s a strategic alignment with values that matter: culture, creativity, community, and access.
Whether you’re supporting a headline event, a foyer space of live art and poetry, a development programme for young poets, or our free-to-access open mics — your brand is seen, felt, and appreciated.
BRAND EXPOSURE:
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3,600+ estimated festival footfall across 5 days
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2,000+ tickets sold to a wide-ranging, culture-engaged audience
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5,930 email subscribers with above-industry-average open rates
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500+ online participants through streamed events and digital workshops
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Presence across 16 live events and 20 workshops
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Branded signage at your sponsored event or space
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Name/logo on printed programme, booking pages, and digital ads
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Mentions across VERVE’s social platforms (Instagram, Twitter/X, Facebook)
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Your team included in our post-festival impact report
STRATEGIC VALUE:
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Clear alignment with CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility), ESG (Environemental Social Governance) or community investment targets
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Fulfilment of your culture, education or wellbeing objectives
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Demonstrable support for diverse, inclusive, and accessible programming
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Partnership with a CIC (Community Interest Company) with national recognition
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Opportunities for team engagement via tickets, workshops, or hosted events
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Association with a vibrant, critically acclaimed arts festival
SPONSOR-ABLE FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES
IMMERSIVE FESTIVAL ATRIUM
*poetry on demand / poetry game / pop-up bookshop.
ALL DAY OPEN MIC
POETRY COMPETITION
*culminating in a published anthology every year!
SCHOOL SLAM
*a yearly initiative engaging schools across the city in writing & performing poetry.
THE POETRY SCHOOL LIVE POETRY LECTURES
*alternative page-poetry lectures exploring history's, herstory's, contemporary culture, form, craft + practice.
YOUNG PEOPLES DAY FESTIVAL
*spin off micro-fest within VERVE to encourage children.
CONCURRENT ONLINE *STREAMED* FESTIVAL
POETRY IN PERFORMANCE WIP EVENT
*celebrating & encouraging experimental live poetry.
THE BIG GAY POETRY NIGHT
DAILY FEATURED POET HEADLINERS
*festival favourite celebrating new works in poetry from professional poets with audience Q+A.
22 IN-PERSON WORKSHOPS
POETRY CINEMA FILM NIGHT *with popcorn!
*selected from films submitted to our competition.
*SPONSORABLE YEAR-LONG COMMUNITY PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES
MONTHLY COMMUNITY OPEN MIC
*providing a platform for everyone to share: a tradjectory in career development.
COMMUNITY WRITING GROUPS
*working to support mental health, language, communication & expression.
POEM OF THE MONTH
*a monthly poetry competition paying poets for their poems as well as providing exposure.
BIRMINGHAMS POETRY COLLECTIVE
*the only poetry development programme in the west-midlands outside of formal education sustaining a strong poetry community for the city.
QUARTERLY SPOKEN WORD NIGHTS
*presenting national/international poets with local talent & emerging poets.
ONLINE POETRY WORKSHOPS
*accessible seasonal workshops providing work for poets, and high quality practice development for our audience.
HOW SPONSORSHIP WORKS
Sponsorship with VERVE is flexible and impact-driven.
You can choose to sponsor a specific part of the festival, like a headline performance, the festival atrium, a day of workshops or support a wider programme that runs throughout the year.
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Opportunities range from £500–£2,000, depending on scale, visibility, and impact. You might choose to:
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Sponsor a single event or workshop
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Fund an element of our outreach or mentoring programmes
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Invest in access costs (e.g. free ticketing, BSL, travel bursaries)
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Brand a space, stage, or printed product
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Support an entire strand of year-round programming
We work with you to shape the partnership so it supports your goals — whether you're focused on education, visibility, wellbeing, or giving back to your community.
You choose the focus. We make it visible, meaningful, and aligned.
'Stuart has hand-crafted community, aspiration and pride in the Birmingham poetry and spoken word scene out of pure passion, quirk and creative ideas over the past almost-decade.
VERVE is a central reason why Birmingham is seen as a centre and beacon for poetry and development.'
- Jazmine Gardosi
Jasmine Gardosi is the current Birmingham Poet Laureate, a BBC Words First finalist, and the 2021 UK Slam Champion, known for her electrifying performances blending poetry, beatboxing, and gender identity.
WHO WE WORK WITH
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OUR MISSION
Through a dynamic and thought-provoking programme of performances, workshops, and discussions, we aim to nurture creativity, amplify marginalised voices, and recognise established artists while providing a platform for new writers.
We showcase the richness and vitality of contemporary poetry, championing a vibrant community that values artistic expression, cultivates empathy, and encourages dialogue.
OUR VISION
The vision of VERVE Poetry Festival is to be a beacon for contemporary poetry, inspiring a diverse and inclusive community where artistic expression thrives, marginalised voices are heard, and the transformative power of poetry initiates empathy, dialogue, and positive social change.
We aspire to create a lasting impact on the literary world, empowering individuals to boldly explore and develop their craft while celebrating the richness and vitality of poetic expression.
VERVE's POETRY LEGACY: LEARNING INITIATIVE
VERVE's Learning Initiative is a multifaceted educational program designed to engage learners of all ages and backgrounds in the art of poetry. We offer workshops, lectures, and retreats (a future incentive) aimed at nurturing creativity, developing literary skills, and building community, from introductory poetry workshops for beginners to advanced masterclasses for seasoned writers, there's something for everyone to explore and enjoy.
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Our educational offerings extend beyond the traditional classroom setting, with opportunities for experiential learning and hands-on participation through outreach programs and collaborations with schools, libraries, and community organisations. We strive to make poetry accessible for the next generation of poets and spoken word artists.
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​Through our school slam program, we ignite a passion for poetry in young minds by engaging with over 500 children each year.
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By providing mentorship, resources, and opportunities for self-expression, we empower students to find their voice and share their stories through the power of spoken word.
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Our school slam initiative not only fosters creativity and confidence but also cultivates empathy, critical thinking, and communication skills, laying the foundation for lifelong learning and personal growth.​
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Partnering with the Poetry Society's Young Poets Network, we offer a platform for emerging voices to shine.
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Through our free competitions, performance opportunities in the festival program, and professional workshops, we provide young poets with the tools, support, and recognition they need to thrive.
'Being at the Verve Poetry Festival feels like an instant buzz of energy.
It comes from every direction: the vibrant diversity of the audiences, the imaginative programming, the connection with other poets at every stage in their careers.
It is the poetry festival that Birmingham richly deserves'.
- Imtiaz Dharker
Multi-award-winning poet, artist and filmmaker, recipient of the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry, former Chancellor of Newcastle University, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, whose work has been studied on the UK national curriculum.
EMERGING POETRY ANTHOLOGIES
Annual VERVE poetry festival competitions have birthed 8 anthologies, nurturing emerging poets and capturing the essence of each festival. These collections explore a diverse range of voices and experiences, and stand testament to our commitment to presenting new artists.
OUR STORY
Born from a Twitter idea, VERVE Poetry & Spoken Word Festival has blossomed into a beacon of creativity and community in Birmingham.
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Since 2017, VERVE has been synonymous with lively programming, inclusive spaces, and a vibrant celebration of poetry in all its glory.
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2017: The inaugural VERVE Poetry Festival launches in Birmingham, aiming to celebrate contemporary poetry with a diverse array of performances and workshops hosted in WATERSTONE's with a broken lift, tiny budget but packed full of diverse poets.
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2018: Building on its initial success, the festival expands its programming, attracting a larger audience and featuring more poets so stepping up in the world into THE OLD REP THEATRE!
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2019: VERVE continues to grow, showcasing an even broader range of poets and workshops, solidifying its place in the poetry community.
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2020: Despite the challenges posed by the global pandemic, VERVE adapts and successfully hosts virtual events, maintaining its vibrant spirit and community engagement.
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2022: VERVE collaborates with the BBC for the Contains Strong Language Festival in Birmingham, enhancing its reach and impact.
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2023: The festival returns with in-person events from February 15th to 19th, continuing its mission to support and celebrate contemporary poetry.
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2024: Year of the collective, a pilot development programme for practicing poets with performance opportunities and career advancement + a festival first RUN YOUR POWERTRY TO THE MUSIC platforming community grass-root poetry events Run Your Mouth, Empower Poetry, Tell it to the Music + The Poetry Hotel.
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2025: Biggest selling festival. Platform for THE BIG GAY POETRY NIGHT. Becoming a CIC. Launching POEM OF THE MONTH + community driven SUBSTACK offering insights, behind the scenes info and a publishing space for our poetry community.
