Raised Voices - An annual charity event in support of International Women’s Day
Raised voices is our special annual charity event to celebrate International Women’s Day. Each year we hold an event featuring a selected group of female poets and spoken word artists. Each year we raise money for local charities from event donations.
Raised Voices 2023 Online Zoom Event
Our ‘RAISED VOICES 2023 - Celebrating International Women's Day through Poetry', hosted by Josephine Lay, was held on the 8th of March and featured international women poets sharing their words.
£101 Was raised in donations, with the proceeds being equally split and donated to the Nelson Trust and Gloucestershire Nightstop.
Below is a wonderful note received from The Gloucestershire Nightstop team:
Dear Jason Conway and The Gloucestershire Poetry Society
Your recent donation of £47.32 to Gloucestershire Nightstop following your fundraising event was so generous and kind of you to think of us during this time where we understand money is tighter for everyone. We really appreciate you raising money at events on behalf of us and other wonderful local charities, it’s an honour to be supported alongside The Nelson Trust, who do amazing work as well.
Your donation provides a safe warm night for a young person who may have had to rough sleep or stay in an unsafe situation. It provides a safe warm space and meals in the day so young people facing homelessness aren’t just pounding the streets in the rain until their host is available that evening. Our young people are truly grateful for the space and opportunity Nightstop provides to address their housing needs and find the support they need to establish a positive, stable future.
A Huge Thank you from The Gloucestershire Nightstop Team: Elaine, Michelle, Keesha, Jordan, Amber and Harvey.
Below is a wonderful quote received from the Nelson Trust:
“We are delighted to have received a further super £49.70 from the society. Such donations really do make a difference to the clients in recovery from addiction and women in touch with or on the edge of the criminal justice system we serve. As a result of the cost of living crisis, continued rising rates of domestic abuse, and cutbacks in services provided by many statutory agencies, such donations are very welcome at what is a tough time for so many clients. We continue to believe that change is possible for everyone, and such kindness helps to tune this into a reality.”
Raised Voices 2021 Online Zoom Event
The Gloucestershire Poetry Society presents 'RAISED VOICES 2021 - Celebrating International Women's Day through Poetry'.
This year was our first Zoom based Raised Voices, due to lockdown restrictions.
Hosted by Josephine Lay, on Monday 8th March 2021 from 7.00pm to 9.30pm. Via Zoom (Technical stuff by Jason Conway).
The following, Gloucestershire women have now been confirmed, Angela France, Belinda Rimmer, Carol Sheppard, Catherine Baker, Chloë Jacquet, Halima Malek, Iris Anne Lewis, Jenny Farley, Julie Allen, Kathryn Alderman, Lucia Daramus, Maggie Clutterbuck, Maria Stadnicka, Marilyn Timms, Sharon Larkin, Tish Camp & Zoe Brooks.
They will be reading one of their own poems & a favourite poem by someone else.
'Raised Voices 2021' is raising funds for two, local, Gloucestershire Women's Charities (The Nelson Trust Women's Centre & The Stroud Women's Refuge). To donate to these two wonderful charities, please click on the button below.
Screenshot of some of the attendees of our 2021 event.
‘We raised £132 in donations and £66 was donated to both the Nelson Trust and Stroud Women’s Refuge.’
Thank you to everyone that kindly made a donation!
Listen to the Raised Voices 2021 audio recording
Raised Voices 2020 St Mary de Crypt in Gloucester
Around 60 people celebrated International Women's Day with amazing poetry put on by the Gloucestershire Poetry Society in colaboration with Discover DeCrypt at the wonderful St Mary de Crypt in Gloucester. Thanks to those who donated so generously.
Hosted by the superbly welcoming and inclusive Josephine Lay.
19 women spoke words that expressed soul, anguish, beauty, pain, family, love and what it is to be a woman.
Stand up and take a bow, in order of performance,
Carol Sheppard, Marion Feasey, Juliette Morton, Alby Stockley, Angela France, Sharon Larkin, Julie Allan, Halima Malek, Kuma San, Annie Ellis, Jennie Farley, Tanya Feasey, Tish Camp, Sharon Brown, Zoe Brooks, Iris Anne Lewis, Maggie Clutterbuck, Emma Lord.
Special thanks to Jessica Gordon & Helen O'Connor of discover deCrypt