Poets Wilko Wilkes, Testament and Saju Iqbal Ahmed with pupils from the Keighley secondary schools took part in the project and came together to perform the poetry they had written, and talked about their experience being part of Radio Club.

Saju Ahmed

Saju is a Leeds-based spoken word poet and rapper of Bangladeshi and Irish heritage whose work confronts social issues and deconstructs stereotypes. He began writing in 2005 with Leeds Young Authors and represented the UK at the Brave New Voices International Youth Poetry Slam from 2006–2008, later coaching the team to 2nd place in 2009. A published poet and case study in Teach Like a Writer by Jennifer Webb, Saju has also featured on BBC 1Xtra Live Lounge and in the BBC short film series Present Tense. His poetry appeared in BBC 1Xtra: On the Ground, BBC Four’s Rhyme and Reason, and the documentaries We Are Poets and Dyslexia and Loving Words. He wrote and acted in Ode to Partition, exploring the impact of the 1947 partition of South Asia. Saju was also active in the Chicago peace movement, using art and activism to inspire change.

Testament

Testament is a writer, rapper, educator and world-record breaking beatboxer.

Testament is writer of awards nominated play BLACK MEN WALKING(UK Theatre Awards, Writer’s Guild of Great Britain) and ORPHEUS IN THE RECORD SHOP which was broadcast on BBC Four TV.

Testament’s diverse work includes spoken word, composing music for award winning adverts, writing musicals, performing poetry at Downing Street, making radio history documentaries, nature essays and freestyle rapping for Nobel Peace Prize winners.

Testament has had numerous TV appearances on BBC, ITV and Sky Arts and has been the guest host on Radio 4poetry show The Verb twice. His poetic radio drama DAUGHTER won Special Commendation at the BBC Audiodrama Awards 2022and was nominated forthe Prix Europa.

He was 2019 Channel 4 Writer-in-Residence for THE ROYAL EXCHANGE THEATRE Manchester and was Black Nature Writer-in Residence for the Yorkshire Dales 2024, and part the HOT POETSeco-poetry collective.

As a facilitator, Testament runs the HIP-HOP CLINIC-a workshop that company that runs rap, poetry and beatbox workshops around the world.He has also worked with BBC Bitesize and presented GCSE Poetry podcasts.

Currently, he is a writer on the hit NETFLIX animated show CASTLEVANIA NOCTURNE.

Wilko Wilkes

Wilko Wilkes is an alternative rapper, music producer, and workshop facilitator from Bingley, West Yorkshire. A skilled wordsmith and mental health advocate, his genre-bending music has earned plaudits for its intricate lyricism, sharp wit and raw honesty,tackling personal struggles, depression, and social issues while weaving in humour and unexpected twists. He is the recipient of the 2024 Wordplay & Flow Award for Best Male Spoken Word Artist.

Wilko has become known for his captivating live performances which are a masterclass in technical precision, and have seen him open for hip hop legends Arrested Development.

As the founder of social enterprise Rap for Good, he harnesses the power of creative writing and rap to support young people’s mental health and wellbeing. Since June 2022, Wilko has partnered with schools, educators, and community organisations to deliver inspiring workshops and community projects, reaching over 2,000 young people in diverse settings.