Cara was selected from a shortlist of seven incredible Nottingham-based poets: Jay Sandhu, Bridie Squires, Jaden Morton, Kate MacAlister, Bep Summerscales, Joshua Judson and Cara herself. The judging panel included Suzannah Evans, Ty’rone Haughton and Nottingham’s first Young Poet Laureate, Georgina Wilding.
Cara Thompson is a writer, performer and artivist. Cara’s poetry has been featured and commissioned by Penguin Random House, Huffpost, Oxfam, the NHS Leadership Academy, UNESCO, Simon and Schuster and more. In 2021, Cara represented Nottingham and won Slamovision, the UNESCO Cities of Literature’s international slam poetry competition with her poem ‘Island Screams (Where Are You From)’.
Cara Thompson said:
“It’s the absolute privilege of my lifetime to have been selected as Nottingham’s Nature Poet Laureate. Being Nottingham born and bred, this city’s community has given me so much, not only as a writer and a friend, but as a human being. If I can offer even a portion of that Midlands’ generosity back during my tenure, I’ll be one very happy poet.
One of the main things I hope to achieve during my time as Nature Poet Laureate is to challenge what many people may initially expect a ‘Nature Poet Laureate’ to be. For many people, ‘nature poetry’ may feel like something that’s too inaccessible, too far removed from our hectic lives, and maybe even too intimidating to give a try. However, I believe that both nature and poetry have enough room to offer something to everyone: a space to share and connect. Despite all of our differences and individualities, there is no greater common ground than the ground we all stand on.
I’d like to extend an immense thank you to the Nottingham City of Literature team, the Nature Poet Laureate judging panel, and Nottingham’s incredible creative community for nurturing and believing in me. Over the next 18 months, I can’t wait to explore Nottingham’s amazing local green spaces, create new pieces of work in collaboration with the community, and hopefully empower the next generation of writers to pick up a pen in the process. Above all, I hope that my time as laureate will prove that nature and poetry are spaces that can inspire, serve and sustain us all.”
Growing Words
As Nature Poet Laureate, Cara will use her poetry as a tool to engage, empower and uplift communities, with particular emphasis on the young people in our communities who may feel disconnected from literature and the environment. Through workshops, performances, and public engagement, Cara will encourage creativity, build confidence, and open up new ways of experiencing both poetry and nature.
Hannah Trevarthen, Director of Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature said:
“We are delighted that Cara has been appointed as Nature Poet Laureate. The calibre of the shortlisted writers was exceptionally high, showcasing the formidable talent that we have within Nottingham. I’m excited for Cara to share her poetry, her passion for the ability for words to transform lives, and her energy with our city’s young people and communities, and the wider world via the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. Cara is a star and we look forward to supporting her to grow in this next stage of her career.
During her tenure, Cara will create at least five new works, which will be shared with the people of Nottingham and used to inspire thought about literature and the way we interact with nature.“
Cara Thompson
Cara Thompson is a writer, performer and artivist based in Nottingham, UK. A proud descendant of Jamaican migrants who came to Britain as part of the pioneering ‘Windrush generation’, Cara’s work explores the richness and complexities of her Caribbean-British heritage while inviting audiences to unpack our shared histories, heartaches and humanity.
Cara’s poetry has been featured and commissioned by Penguin Random House, Huffpost, Oxfam, the NHS Leadership Academy, UNESCO, Simon and Schuster and more. In 2021, Cara won UNESCO Cities of Literature’s international slam poetry competition Slamovision with her poem ‘Island Screams (Where Are You From)’.
Outside of poetry, Cara is also a musician, facilitator, programmer, and an active member of Nottingham’s creative community. Since 2023, Cara has been an Assistant Director of Nottingham Poetry Festival. In 2024, Cara served as Lead Artist of the Nottingham based poetry collective, GOBS, co-directing their development programme and live showcase ‘Earth’ at Nottingham Playhouse. Cara is also a founding member of the Nottingham Black Creatives Network, and hosted the group’s debut residency at Saltbox Presents throughout April 2024.