THE WINDOWS PROJECT
Windows is a registered charity that works with poets to get them working with children and young people. Last year they arranged over 1,000 workshops in schools and in the wider community (e.g. through libraries, playschemes, community centres). They are based in offices on Bold Street, Liverpool, above the News From Nowhere bookshop.

COMMONWORD
Commonword are a Manchester based organisation that promote the writing and publication of work by 'outsiders'. For example, Black and Asian voices (Cultureword), queer voices, and the voices of those with disabilities. They run both writers' groups and a publishing imprint Crocus.

WRITE OUT LOUD
A Bolton-based organisation offering a chance to read your own poems in a warm, supportive environment at The Howcroft Inn on the 3rd Sunday of each month. Check out their website for details of this, and other events organised by them. The site also has a comprehensive national gig guide and and area for you to post your profile and a couple of poems

THE POETRY SOCIETY
The Poetry Society is probably the biggest and best-funded poetry society in the UK, so whilst it is fairly London-centric, it has got some useful stuff on its site (check out Education for writing exercises to tempt a sleeping muse)

Clare Kirwan
Clare Kirwan is a quirky performance poet, comedian and writer based in Wirral and active in Liverpool's Dead Good Poets Society

Welcome to a world where silence speaks many languages, bones grow in gardens, and the birdsong is only in your head. A world where all things are made of glass but breakages need not be paid for, where moments are crystallized: the lollipop man murdered, the iron statue running for it, and your mum planning world domination.

THE WIRRAL ODE SHOW
The wirral Ode Show has been in exiostance for over 15 years and meets every 3rd Thursday. They have a main competition in october (15th this year) with a cash prize 1st plus a 2nd and 3rd prizes and the title wirral ode show poet of the year. Click here for up to date information.