Croydon’s Poet Laureate holds residency for young people from diverse backgrounds

By Leila Zerai

Croydon’s first poet laureate is set to hold a residency at the Museum of Croydon from today.

Shaniqua Benjamin, 28, aims to address gaps in the museum’s collection in terms of diversity, through the project ‘Voices of Croydon.’

She will be inviting Croydon residents from black, asian and ethnic minority backgrounds aged 18-25 to collaborate with her as part of the residency.

“Croydon is a very diverse area which needs representing in the museum,” she explained.

The residency will hold an online exhibition in March, responding to items in the museum’s collection. “I’m hoping that there will be not only written poetry, but also audio and video. There will be visual art as well,” she said.

“It’s going to be brilliant for people to look at, so I’m excited.”

The residency has received a government grant to fund the project. “We have funding from a Diversity Matters grant from the Arts Council,” she explained.

“So it’s partially funded from this amazing grant, which will be a great help to us in carrying out this workshop and increasing diversity in the museum.”

Benjamin had been working with Croydon Council as part of its London Borough of Culture proposal. Croydon will be the London Borough of Culture in 2023 and will receive £1.35m in funding. The borough will host cultural events and community projects as part of the project.

Councillor Tony Newman encouraged Benjamin to be the first poet laureate for the area and they worked on putting together a poet laureateship scheme.

“It made sense, from all the work that I’d done, that I would be the first one. So that was really interesting and strange, but it’s really great, because it’s a great way to amplify more voices in Croydon and showcase poetry,” she said. “It makes it more accessible for different groups of people.”

“If it wasn’t for the London Borough of Culture I don’t think this would be happening,” she said. “Hopefully it will be a scheme that we can develop and continue in Croydon.”

Benjamin also runs a community project called Young People’s Insight, aimed at encouraging the development of marginalised young people in the area, through poetry and social activities. “Being young and black and from somewhere like Croydon, young people are often made to feel as if their voices aren’t important,” she explained.

However, she thinks that they should have more opportunities. “If they have the skill and responsibility and they are determined, then give them a chance. Let them speak and become leaders,” she said.

Benjamin speaks from her own experience as a young person. “I’ve overcome a lot of hardships and it was through poetry that I really found my voice,” she explained.

“I have overcome a lot of different frustrations and problems to get to where I am today, which is why it’s so important for me to amplify the voices of others.

“Even if you are young, you can do it.”

You can find out more about Shaniqua Benjamin and the residency at the Museum of Croydon at https://museumofcroydon.com/voicesofcroydon/shaniquabenjamin