As seen at We Out Here, Nottingham Poetry Festival and Hockley Hustle!
Nottingham spoken-word collective GOBS host poetry performances, workshops, events, book clubs, masterclasses and education programmes. We meet on a quarterly basis (spring, summer, autumn, winter) with various projects and opportunities rolling out throughout the year.
We host our own showcases, publish anthologies, and have performed alongside Yomi Sode, Randolph Matthews, Casey Bailey, and Debris Stevenson.
We are a spoken-word poetry collective in Nottingham
We are recruiting for directors
This is an exciting moment to join GOBS Collective as a Director. We are transitioning from an individual-led series of successful projects into a fully functioning Community Interest Company, built to sustainably support spoken word artists across Nottingham and beyond.
→ More info & apply
Workshops
Performances
Socials
Our Partners
Collaboration is at the heart of GOBS. We believe strong, values-aligned partnerships help us expand opportunity, deepen access, and support artists and communities to thrive.
We’re proud to work alongside organisations who share our commitment to creativity, compassion, community, and inclusion — locally, nationally, and beyond.
Apples and Snakes is the UK’s leading spoken word organisation and a long-standing supporter of GOBS.
Their guidance, advocacy, and sector expertise have been invaluable in supporting our organisational development, artistic standards, and funding journey.
Our partnership strengthens pathways from grassroots participation to professional spoken word practice.
New Art Exchange is a vital cultural space in Nottingham, championing contemporary art and global perspectives.
Working with NAE allows us to connect poetry and spoken word with wider artistic conversations, while supporting access, representation, and creative exchange.
As part of Nottingham’s UNESCO City of Literature network, GOBS is connected to a global community celebrating writing, reading, and storytelling.
This partnership supports our ambition to root our work locally while collaborating nationally and internationally.
Writing East Midlands supports writers at all stages across the region.
Through this partnership, GOBS contributes to and benefits from a wider ecosystem of literary development, sharing knowledge, resources, and opportunities for writers and poets.
Nottingham Central Library provides a welcoming, accessible space at the heart of the city.
Our work together helps make poetry and creative conversation visible and open to all — supporting community gatherings, book clubs, and public-facing events.
Bad Betty Press is an independent publisher committed to bold, inclusive, and socially engaged poetry.
Our connection celebrates contemporary voices and supports conversations around publishing, craft, and creative independence.
Young Creatives Nottingham works with young people across the city to build confidence, skills, and creative voice.
Partnering with YCN supports pathways for young writers and performers, helping them connect with poetry, spoken word, and wider creative communities.
Headway Nottingham supports people affected by brain injury to rebuild confidence, connection, and independence.
Our collaboration centres access, care, and creativity — exploring how poetry and storytelling can support expression, wellbeing, and community connection.
Working Together
Our partnerships are built on trust, shared values, and mutual learning.
Together, we’re expanding access to creativity, supporting artists at every stage, and building community with creativity.
If you’re interested in partnering with GOBS, we’d love to hear from you.