ABOUT US
Literature Charity Working in Combined Arts Developing Young Writers and Creatives
Young Identity is a Manchester-based literature and performance arts charity. Through our Creating Connections, Creating Pathways, and Creating Exchange programmes, we provide opportunities for marginalised youth to excel creatively locally, nationally and internationally. We nurture, develop and champion the voices and creativity of diverse young people through literature, writing and performance.
Our Story
Young Identity, affectionally known as ‘YI’ began as a group of young Manchester poets led by poet and author Shirley May. In 2006, they entered Apples and Snakes’ Word Cup, where they met director and artist Ali Gadema who helped form YI’s first collective, Inna Voice. After the project ended, they launched weekly workshops at Moss Side Millennium Powerhouse, creating a space for young poets to meet and write.
As volunteers, they led workshops for underrepresented writers in Manchester, building a community where young artists could grow. Through partnerships, they gained performance opportunities, and it became clear YI was a platform for young voices to explore identity on local and global stages.
In 2018, with a new board and steering group, YI became a charitable organisation, expanding beyond its origins as a family-run project. What started with 15 poets nearly 20 years ago is made up of hundreds of young participants from all across Greater Manchester and beyond; taking part in workshops, performance theatre and transformative creative opportunities.
Our Mission
We redefine poetry for a contemporary age, creating the poets and wordsmiths of the present and future. Through a youth-led, community-rooted and innovative approach to poetry and performance, we make our work universally accessible across the UK and internationally.
We empower young people—especially those from underrepresented and protected backgrounds—with the tools, confidence and platforms to reach their full potential.
Our vision is a world where every young person develops creativity, confidence, and self-expression through poetry and performance.
Our Values
Empathy We listen first
Equality We strive for an equal society
Diversity We value difference
Inclusivity We include the excluded
Quality We develop our participants to aim for excellence
Collaboration We learn from one another, our partners and our participants
Sustainability We advocate and act
Creating Pathways
Our Creating Pathways programme broadens learning for Young Identity members by offering pathways in youth governance, event production, publishing and workshop facilitation.
Associates
Trustees
Adeola Adelakun
Tolu Agbelusi
Faz Babur
Ekua Bayunu
Nasima Begum
Dr. Lis Cordingley
Jonathan McGrath
Emma Mould
Udy Onwudike
Rosie Stuart
Jonah Earle
Lucy Jackson
Sylvia Lee