THE HEATH BOOKSHOP LITERATURE AND MUSIC EVENT –

Voices in the Making is a powerful afternoon of poetry, storytelling, and performance rooted in self-expression and community. After a day of creative workshops with Birmingham Poet Laureate Ayan Aden, students will take the stage to share original work exploring identity, heritage, and the stories that shape who we are.

Joined by guest performers, this event celebrates the act of harnessing our voices—using spoken word and storytelling as tools for empowerment, healing, and connection. Expect an evening of honesty, courage, and creative brilliance from emerging and established voices alike.

Ayan Aden is Birmingham’s 24th Poet Laureate (2024–2026), a performance poet, community organiser, and founder of Somalinimo UK—an initiative celebrating Somali heritage through arts and culture. Her work fuses poetry with storytelling, activism, and cultural strategy, and she has performed at Parliament, TEDx, and international festivals. Ayan is passionate about empowering young voices and bridging communities through creative expression. She delivers workshops across the UK, using poetry to explore identity, belonging, and resilience. With a growing presence in the cultural sector, Ayan is building platforms that honour diasporic narratives and reshape the landscape of British poetry.

This event will be BSL interpreted.

Tickets for this event will be released in January 2026.