We are seeking a Poet/Spoken Word Artist to collaborate and engage with community groups, including those with social needs, to capture their voices and reflections around the Follow The Donkey rail /foot trail, incorporating local heritage and community.

This is a project led by Buckinghamshire Council that will engage with community partners and groups linked with social needs, to celebrate the heritage and promote the use of the Marlow / Bourne End railway line. This will be achieved through highlighting a walking route and establishing a recognised rail and foot trail, promoting recreational walking and train travel while supporting health and well-being.

The successful applicant will lead engaging workshops, attend a guided train journey and walk along the trail. The artist will work with the local community and use creativity, heritage and environmental influences to deliver workshops that capture local voices and stories - explore connections with the local landscape, local history and the two settlements of Bourne End and Marlow through the power of words. This will result in a collection of spoken word pieces and poems that reflect the shared identity of the area, walking route, railway line and stations.

The Spoken Word Artist/Poet will also collaborate with a Visual Artist, ensuring an integrated creative approach that enhances the project's impact.

Artists will link closely with the Project Manager and share outputs with the Designer to inform and inspire a compelling final design that authentically reflects community contributions and captures the spirit of the Marlow Donkey. Artists are to attend the launch event.

Budget: Poet workshop leader: 2 days prep (to include guided train journey and walk), 3 days delivery (timing to flex to suit community groups), 1.5 day edit/curate trail content @ £300/d, attendance at launch event 0.5 d @ £150 = £2,100.