Stirling Maker: Poetry Engagement

Feedback summary, Reflection, Significant Findings

Firstly, many thanks to you all for giving us your time in filling out this survey, and in particular for the thought and consideration put into your comments. You've given us a great deal to consider and to action.

Laura

Demographic:

72% of respondees were aged 45 and above

• 65% female
• 31% male
• 3.4% preferred not to say

Engagement with poetry

90% read poetry. 73% watched or listened to poetry and 69% write poetry

• Predominantly in books and on the internet 65% and 62% respectively
• 45% live
• 31% perform poetry themselves

Regularity of engagement

• 45% - occasionally
• 31% most days
• 24% regularly

Reasons to Love poetry

• 79% -Helps me express myself/clear my head
• 79% Helps me think about things in a new way
• 71% love of language
• 46% entertainment
• 36% Finding out about other cultures
• 18% to meet people
• 18% humorous

What further work could be done to support and promote poetry in Stirling?

• 82% performance events
• 50% Learning opportunities
• 39% Recommended poems or poets
• 36% Places to send your poetry for publication
• 36% Provide information or news about opportunities
• 25% inspiration for writing poetry

Conclusions

What was particularly useful for me were the reasons people gave as to why people don't engage with poetry. Inaccessibility, pretentiousness, in the way it is often perceived as old-fashioned, the way it is taught in school, were repeated responses. They give me a clear indication of what to overcome and what to avoid in my role.

In the "What are Stirling's poetic strengths?" question, along with many heartening suggestions (landscape, diversity of population, great venues, history of poetry), 27% of responses included the feedback that they weren't aware of any poetic strengths in Stirling. Showing a great deal of work still has to be done in terms of publicising the strengths which are present.

It was inspiring to read the comments which explained why people love poetry. Most responses included the connection it provides with others (combating isolation); the insight/illumination poetry provides; escape; emotional experience; wellbeing (relaxation); the condensed nature of poetry. We will use these helpful insights when highlighting the potential of poetry.

By far the most popular response in "What further work could be done to support and promote poetry in Stirling?" was the provision of performance events. Second to this was the provision of learning opportunities. These were reinforced in the comments section, in which 30% of responses requested beginner workshops, 25% more spoken word events, and 15% suggested school engagement and publication opportunities. We will therefore endeavour to provide more spoken word events and poetry groups and writing workshops. School engagement is a part of the Makar remit and I will provide information about where to submit writing on the Makar Facebook page and the website.