The Poetry School and Laurel Prize

Arts as a Driver of Social Change

The Laurel Prize is an annual award for the best nature/eco poetry collection.  It was established by UK Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, (who funds it with his honorarium), to raise climate crisis awareness. It celebrates environmental themes in poetry, awarding £5,000 for the winner and prizes for runners-up, with a focus on highlighting ecological issues and potential solutions through verse. Over the 3 years of funding the Prize has developed beyond the shores of the UK to become a global phenomenon, has attracted further funding, many donors inspired by the example of the trust, and has grown and raised awareness of climate crisis and power of poetry to engage new audiences and effect change. 

The £10,000 a year donation from the Banga has enabled Poetry School to adopt a high impact, relatively low cost of Prize administration, marketing, growth and impact, plus offered opportunities to attract further donors, both individual and from other trusts and foundations. 

https://poetryschool.com/

  • “Both the Poetry School and the Laurel Prize for environmental and nature poetry benefitted hugely from the generosity and engagement of The Kamini and Vindi Banga Family Trust. It is invariably wonderful to work with informed donors who understand a charity's needs, are generous not only with funding, but with their time, friendship and expertise. I feel both grateful and very fortunate that I was able to work with the trust to secure transformative donations for the school in terms of moving premises, and the Prize in establishing it with a secure and creative basis thanks to the commitment of Kamini and the Trust."

    Sally Carruthers
    Former executive director, The Poetry School, current Chair, The Forward Arts Foundation 

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