IN OUR WORDS is a year-long festival of literature, literacy, and storytelling – designed to inspire, engage, and connect people of all ages.
From celebrating Portsmouth’s famous literary figures to everyday reading In Our Words will bring books, writing, and creativity to life through events, workshops, and community-driven projects.
Whether you’re a book lover, aspiring writer, or want to read more but unsure where to start this is your year to discover, learn, and share in the power of words!
Coming to an event?
Get ready for a fantastic lineup of literary experiences, from author talks and poetry slams to interactive storytelling, creative writing workshops, and family-friendly book-themed events. Whether you’re here to listen, learn, or create, there’s something for everyone!
Want to contribute?
We’re calling on writers, artists, educators, and community groups to bring fresh, bold, and creative ideas to the programme. If you have a passion for words and storytelling, this is your chance to shape Portsmouth’s literary legacy. Let’s make 2025 a year to remember! Email projects@portsmouthcreates.co.uk for more information.
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BIG SCREEN POETRY – IN OUR WORDS 2025
Big Screen Poetry
Date: 2nd October
Time: 7.00-23.00
Location: The Big Screen, Guildhall Walk
Cost: Free
To celebrate the magic of World Poetry Day, Pompey Poetry Party invites local poets to share their work on ‘The Big Screen.”
FROM THE HEART – IN OUR WORDS 2025
From the Heart Poetry Celebration
Date: 2nd October
Time: 19.00-21.00
Location: Square Tower Portsmouth
Cost: £5
A celebration and recital of poems that have been learnt by heart.
WRITING FOR WELLBEING – IN OUR WORDS 2025
Writing for Wellbeing with SanPau
Date: 2nd October
Time: 13.00-15.00
Location: Buckland United Reformed Church
Cost: £5 donation
Discover your voice, build characters, and boost self-awareness in this fun 2-hour workshop.
KETTLE TALES WRITING GROUP – IN OUR WORDS 2025
Kettle Tales Writing Group
Date: 6th October
Time: 10.30-16.00
Location: Cosham Community Kettle
Cost: Free
Pull up a chair, pour yourself a cuppa, and let the stories flow.
A SEA OF WORDS – IN OUR WORDS 2025
A Sea of Words
Date: 18th-26th October
Time: 10.30-16.00
Location: Historic Dockyard
Cost: £5 Adults, Children and Portsmouth residents with relevant postcodes are free.
A large-scale immersive experience by acclaimed Hong Kong artists Kingsley Ng and Stephanie Cheung. Step into a sea of light, memory and hope, in Portsmouth from 18-26 October 2025.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH READERS DAY – IN OUR WORDS 2025
Black History Month Readers Day
Date: 18th October
Time: 11.00-15.00
Location: Portsmouth Central Library
Cost: £10 or £5 for Leisure Card holders
Spend the day in the company of three of Britain’s most inspirational Black authors as they share their stories, experiences, inspirations and latest projects.
WRITE TO BE HEARD – IN OUR WORDS 2025
Write to Be Heard
Date: 21st October
Time: 16.00 – 18.00
Location: Motiv8 – Unit 2 & 3 Cumberland Gate, Cumberland Road PO5 1AG
Cost: Free
No experience needed—bring your voice, your ideas, and your curiosity. Write it. Share it. Be heard.
HORRIBLE HISTORIES – IN OUR WORDS 2025
Horrible Histories – Gorgeous Georgians and Vile Victorians!
Date: 26th October
Time: 13.30 & 16:00
Location: New Theatre Royal Portsmouth
Cost: Adult £18, Child £16
We all want to meet people from history! The trouble is everyone is dead!
POET LAUREATE SIMON ARMITAGE INSPIRES PORTSMOUTH PUPILS IN FREE LIVE LITERATURE EVENT – In Our Words 2025
Poet laureate Simon Armitage inspires Portsmouth pupils in free live literature event!
Poet Laureate – and Portsmouth University alumnus – Simon Armitage has brought his trademark blend of honesty, humour and insight to the New Theatre Royal stage, as part of Portsmouth Creates’ Year of Literacy, “In Our Words”.
Portsmouth “year of storytelling” sparks record-breaking summer reading challenge – IN OUR WORDS 2025
PORTSMOUTH “YEAR OF STORYTELLING” SPARKS RECORD-BREAKING SUMMER READING CHALLENGE
School children across Portsmouth are being encouraged to take part in one of the city’s biggest-ever summer reading challenges, thanks to a new initiative from Portsmouth Creates…
YEAR 5 BOOK AWARDS – IN OUR WORDS 2025
Hundreds of Year 5 pupils from across Portsmouth came together at the Kings Theatre on Wednesday 25 June to celebrate a shared love of reading at the annual Year 5 Book Awards…
FROM THE HEART – IN OUR WORDS 2025
From The Heart
Date: Thursday 2 October 2025
Time: 7pm to 9pm
Location: The Square Tower, Portsmouth
Cost: £5
MEET MAJID: A VOICE AT THE HEART OF REFUGEE WEEK
As we approach Refugee Week 2025, we invite you to be part of a city-wide celebration of resilience, community, and the transformative power of storytelling…
MEET PORTSMOUTH’S WRITERS, POETS & WORDSMITHS
MEET PORTSMOUTH’S WRITERS, POETS & WORDSMITHS
As part of In Our Words our city-wide celebration of literature, language and storytelling and through the Portsmouth Creative Directory, we’re proud to shine a light on the brilliant writers, poets and wordsmiths shaping Portsmouth’s creative voice.
A HUGE THANK YOU TO SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY AND STAGECOACH SOUTH FOR SUPPORTING IN OUR WORDS
The invaluable support of South Western Railway and Stagecoach South, whose generous contributions ensured that children from across Portsmouth could attend the launch event…
IN OUR WORDS LAUNCHES WITH OVER 350 LOCAL SCHOOL CHILDREN
IN OUR WORD is a year-long festival of literature, literacy, and storytelling – launches with over 350 children at Fratton Park with famous author…
IN OUR WORDS – GET INVOLVED IN PORTSMOUTH’S 2025 YEAR OF LITERATURE
We invite artists, writers, performers, and community groups to take part in a year-long celebration of Portsmouth’s rich literary heritage and future – IN OUR WORDS…
