Breaking the Ice
The day kicked off with a classic: two truths and a lie. Laughter filled the room as students tested their instincts, shared stories, and tried to catch each other out. It was the perfect way to warm up – loosening nerves and building connections for the creative work ahead.
Looking Back to Move Forward
Before jumping in, the group revisited day one – reflecting on discussions around the 5th Pan-African Congress (and its plaque located at Manchester Metropolitan University) and its lasting significance. With that context refreshed, they were ready to explore their ideas in new, creative ways.
Is Manchester Welcoming? It Depends…
When the question came back to the room, the answers weren’t simple – and that’s what made them powerful.
Students spoke about:
- The importance of community
- How “welcoming” can feel different depending on your experiences
- The reality that Manchester can feel very different depending on where you are
It wasn’t just a discussion – it was honest, thoughtful, and grounded in lived experience.
From Thoughts to Poetry
Next came the writing. Individually, students created pro/con lists exploring what makes the UK feel welcoming – or not. These reflections became the foundation for two prompts:
- If the Pan-African Congress happened in Manchester today, people would feel…
- Manchester is a welcoming city because…
Students shared their favourite lines, spotlighted powerful phrases, and began shaping their words using poetic techniques such as metaphors, similes, and visual imagery. Slowly, individual voices began to weave together.
Building a Collective Voice
Lines were laid out across the floor, rearranged, discussed, and refined. Piece by piece, a spoken word performance began to take shape – one that captured the group’s shared response to the central question.
With guidance from Reece, students practised delivering their lines – learning how to project confidence, carry energy, and pass the “poetry relay baton” from one voice to the next.
Into the Recording Studio
After lunch, it was time to step up to the mic.
One by one, students entered the recording studio at Z-arts – many for the very first time. Nerves turned into excitement as each voice was captured, contributing to the final piece.
Meanwhile, the rest of the group explored another creative task: designing their own paper plaques, inspired by the red plaque commemorating the historic 1945 Congress. Each design offered a personal take on what – and who – deserves to be remembered.
Hearing Their Voices Come Together
The day closed with something special: a first listen.
Gathered together, students heard a rough cut of their spoken word piece – their ideas, their voices, their perspectives woven into one powerful recording.
The final version will soon be available on the Manchester Histories website – so keep an eye out. It’s not one to miss.
Thank You
A huge thank you to the staff and students at Chorlton High School for their enthusiasm and openness, to Reece Williams for guiding and inspiring across both days, and to Manchester Histories for their continued support and collaboration.
