Living Wage employer Poetic Unity celebrate 10 years of helping young people in Lambeth and beyond find their own voices, joy – and fair pay
Poetic Unity, an accredited Living Wage employer based in Brixton, has spent the past decade empowering young people and helping them find their voices. The organisation, founded by Ryan Matthews-Robinson, remains deeply rooted in its mission to support young individuals in discovering fulfilling careers and expressing themselves authentically.
Ryan Matthews-Robinson, the founder of Poetic Unity, never imagined he would one day lead a charity. Growing up as a mixed-heritage child, he often felt silenced and discriminated against by teachers, leaving him without a voice. “If you’d told me when I was younger that I’d start a charity, I wouldn’t believe it,” he reflects. “As a mixed heritage kid at school, I felt I didn’t have a voice. Parents always believed the teachers, so when I faced discrimination from teachers, I felt isolated and silenced.”
Matthews-Robinson’s journey into the charity sector began with a personal project. He created an album with his musician grandfather to raise funds for Alzheimer’s research, inspired by his grandmother’s battle with the disease. This initiative led him to speak about Alzheimer’s in schools and colleges, where he connected with the voluntary sector and individuals working with young people. He also began exploring various forms of communication, including Spoken Word.
A pivotal moment came when Matthews-Robinson encountered George the Poet, a fellow working-class Londoner. “I saw him as someone like me – a working-class Londoner,” he says. “I never thought of myself as a poet until somebody told me that something I’d written was a dope poem.” This realisation sparked his passion for spoken word and inspired him to help other young people find and use their voices.
If you’d told me when I was younger that I’d start a charity, I wouldn’t believe it. As a mixed heritage kid at school, I felt I didn’t have a voice. Parents always believed the teachers, so when I faced discrimination from teachers, I felt isolated and silenced.
Ryan Matthews-Robinson, founder, Poetic Unity
Poetic Unity, which has been based in Brixton for the past ten years, has become a beacon of support for young people. Matthews-Robinson believes there is a deep connection between the organisation and the individuals it serves, rooted in shared experiences of race, class, and youth. “They understand how Poetic Unity means a safe space to be their authentic selves,” he explains. “I’m helping young people find their voice and the safe space I didn’t get.”
Poetic Unity has always prioritised fair pay for its staff, a commitment that has become even more critical amid the current cost of living crisis. “Being an accredited Living Wage Employer enhances your reputation as an employer,” Matthews-Robinson asserts. “We’ve always committed to paying at least the London Living Wage since we started ten years ago, and we still believe in being leaders in paying young people fairly.”
This dedication to fair pay is not just about financial compensation; it is a statement of value. “It shows young people that they’re valued,” Matthews-Robinson explains. “If young people aren’t being valued, what does that say about the future of this world?”
As Poetic Unity celebrates its tenth anniversary, the organisation remains committed to its mission of empowering young people. By providing a safe space for expression and advocating for fair pay, Poetic Unity continues to significantly impact the lives of young individuals in Brixton and beyond.
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