Apply for Roundhouse Poetry Slam 2026

Calling poets and spoken word artists! The Roundhouse Poetry Slam in partnership with Taylor Wessing is back and we’re looking for emerging artists nationwide to step up to the mic.

About Roundhouse Poetry Slam

Roundhouse Poetry Slam is not just a competition – it’s a celebration of the power of words and the artists who wield them.

Showcase your original work at one of our national heats across the country, in London, Bristol, Leeds, Liverpool or online.

The top ten poets from across the country will take part in the Slam Final in the iconic Roundhouse Main Space on Thursday 9 April.

The winner will receive: a cash prize of £1,000, a professional performance or commission opportunity via the Roundhouse and professional development support from the Roundhouse.

2nd and 3rd place poets and the people’s vote winner will also receive cash prizes of £500 and £300 respectively.

Watch the 2025 slam final on our YouTube channel.

What you get 

• Audience Exposure: Share your talent with live and online audiences. 
• Networking: Connect with peers and professionals in the spoken word industry. 
• Judges: Shortlisting will be done by a panel of highly respected poets. The slam heats and final will also be judged by a panel of esteemed writers and performers (to be announced). 
• Cash Prizes: Compete for the top three spots or win the audience vote for a chance to take home a cash prize.
  • 1st place – £1,000
  • 2nd place – £500
  • 3rd place – £300
  • Audience winner – £300
  • All other finalists – £100

Professional Filming: Finalists’ performances will be expertly captured and showcased on the Roundhouse YouTube Channel with 16,000 subscribers. Past videos have garnered 5 million views and caught the eye of global publications.

About our shortlisters

Caitlin O’Ryan

Caitlin O’Ryan is a Manchester-born, London-based actor and poet who has headlined major spoken word nights and been commissioned by organisations including the British Heart Foundation, Refuge, and Amnesty International, performing for the latter at Glastonbury 2025. Known for her role as Lizzie Wemyss in Outlander, her poem At What Point has over 18 million views and led to a BBC Woman’s Hour appearance. She hosts the podcast Have You Got Your Sht Together?* and recently released her debut poetry collection At What Point, launched at the Edinburgh International Book Festival. Her work is celebrated for its vulnerability, honesty, and relatability.

Kareem Parkins Brown

Kareem Parkins-Brown is a writer and visual artist who is obsessed with humour, surrealism, grief & Londonisms. He was raised on Grahame Park Estate in London, NW9. He performs at museums, art galleries, libraries, cafes, bookshops, pubs, back gardens, conference centres, people’s dreams, nightmares and all over. His first pamphlet, Oi You Lot, came out in 2024 with Little Betty. It was Radio 4’s Poetry Book of the Month at one point. 

Hibaq Osman

Hibaq Osman is a UK-based Somali artist whose main work has been in poetry. Hibaq was first published in 2015 by Out-Spoken Press with her debut pamphlet ‘A Silence You Can Carry.’ In 2017 and 2019 she released two online pamphlets, ‘the heart is a smashed bulb’ and ‘CARVINGS’. Her first full poetry collection ‘where the memory was’ was published by Jacaranda Books as a part of their #Twentyin2020 initiative. She is a proud member of OCTAVIA POETRY COLLECTIVE.

Do I need any experience to take part?

No! You don’t need any previous experience to get involved – just come with your words and give it a go. If you make it through the heats, you’ll also get some support and tips to help sharpen your poetry and performance along the way.

How to apply

To apply you must be aged 18-25 on 9th April 2026 and live in the UK.

• Apply by: Mon 19 January, 10am
• Shortlisted poets will be notified if they have made it through to heats by Mon 2 February
• Heats: Heats will take place in Bristol, Leeds, Liverpool, London and online between Mon 23 February and Wed 4 March 2026. All heats have a 6.30pm arrival for a 7.30pm start.
• Poetry Slam Final (Roundhouse Main Space) – Thu 9 April 2026, 7.30pm

The Roundhouse champions diversity, equity and inclusion. We believe in a just society and in the benefit for all gained from the richness of diverse experiences and expressions within cultural output.

Through its youth programmes, the Roundhouse actively seeks to increase diversity and address disadvantage and inequality. Under the provisions made for Positive Action in the Equality Act 2010 the Roundhouse may, in the event of identifying two or more candidates of equal merit, give preference to a candidate or candidates that are from a group that is disproportionately underrepresented or otherwise disadvantaged.

Roundhouse Poetry Slam is presented in partnership with Taylor Wessing.

Roundhouse Poetry Slam Prep Workshop

Thinking about applying for slam? We’re holding a free, online session on Monday 12 January, 6.30pm where we’ll share more about what happens at Slam, and give you tips and advice on writing poetry for performance. Get yourself ready for submitting your slam application! Book your free place on our website here.

Roundhouse Poetry Slam is in partnership with Taylor Wessing.

I’M NOT SURE I CAN AFFORD TO TAKE PART…

If you need help to pay for things like project fees, transport or childcare, we can help. Find out how you can get support. If you are using a bursary to pay for the project, please ensure you arrange this with the Advice Base with plenty of time before the start of the project.

I HAVE ADDITIONAL NEEDS. WHAT SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE?

We are committed to supporting D/deaf, disabled and neurodiverse young people, those with medical conditions, access requirements or any lived experience that may require adaptation, support or sensitivity. If there is anything you would like to let us (our youth workers, tutors or staff) know that will support your enjoyment and access, you can do so by emailing us at advicebase@roundhouse.org.uk, and we will contact you to discuss further how to best support your engagement.