Mikey Markham
Poetry and Rap - Engagement - Aspirations
Sometimes we are introduced to young people who have a such a remarkable talent, combined with something so important to share with schools, that we just have to have them as part of our Independent Thinking family.
With his gift for incredibly moving and honest poetry, his natural enthusiasm and his passion to help young people aim so much higher, Mikey Markham – AKA the performance poet Rhythmical Mike – is one such impressive young man.
After all, sometimes it takes a dyslexic school failure with a gift for capturing the spirit of life in his words, and then turning those words into feelings, to help us all realise how we can all raise our game in the world of education.
Mikey was first introduced to us by fellow Independent Thinking Associate Martin Illingworth and the two now are working together with primary and secondary schools, their teachers and their children and young people.
What they do so well in combination is explore issues not only around literacy, oracy and creative expression through words but also around confidence, motivation, aspirations and helping school be what it needs to be to help all young people, not just the academic few.
"The moment you realise you’re an individual is the moment you'll be set free."
Mikey Markham
Recent titles include:
- Poetry is a Life Changer
- You’ve Got This! - Resilience and Creativity
- Smile! Well-being, Poetry and Adversity
When Mikey shares his poems with an audience, whether it is adults or children, he both transfixes and transforms the room. It is something that he not only achieves through the cleverness of his rhymes and his words, but through the topic he covers – often gritty, relevant, real-life scenarios of people trying to fit in but not quite making it, of people who school and wider society may have rejected but who, in turn, have not yet fully rejected society.
With a growing reputation that includes sharing a stage with the likes of Russell Brand, Rizzle Kicks, Hollie McNish and Akala, Mikey now runs poetry workshops and recitals for schools, youth centres, charities, rehabilitation organisations, universities and sports clubs. Wherever he speaks, he never fails to disarm his audience with his natural charm, passion and compassion, before hitting them squarely between the eyes with the power of his words and the stories he tells.
And we are delighted that he is sharing his talents, his stories, his story, his passion, his inspiration and his words with Independent Thinking.
As a group of educators who use our words to make a difference, Mikey fits right in.
Mikey Markham In His Own Words
"WHAT DOES SUCCESS LOOK LIKE? BEING HAPPY, SHE REPLIED" - WHAT
IS BEAUTY AT SCHOOL? A POEM BY RHYTHMICAL MIKE
To make an enquiry about booking Mikey please give us a call on +44 (0)1267 211432 or fill in the Booking Enquiry form.
If you have a date in mind that will help too.
We'll then get back to you reassuringly quickly for a free, no-obligation chat to explore your needs in more detail.
We look forward to hearing from you.
- Mikey has been with Independent Thinking since October 2017
- He runs a series of local youth clubs out of five converted buses on his mum's farm
- You'll find him our Teaching and Learning topic area
- You might also want to consider Martin Illingworth or Hywel Roberts
Enjoy a free no-obligation chat.
Make a booking. Haggle a bit.
Give us a call on +44 (0)1267 211432 or drop us a line at learn@independentthinking.co.uk.
We promise to get back to you reassuringly quickly.