Friends of Lyra
Support the Future of Poetry in Bristol
Become a Friend of Lyra and help us champion poetry in all its forms – from main stage performances to community workshops, from emerging voices to international headliners. Your membership supports the annual Lyra Festival, the Bristol City Poet scheme, Young City Poet programme, and our ongoing work with local schools and communities.
DONATE HERE
🌱 FRIEND – £35/year
Be a part of the community.
You’re helping poetry thrive in Bristol – thank you. As a Friend, you’ll stay connected, get early access, and enjoy special updates.
You receive:
🎟️ Priority booking for Lyra Festival events through early access.
📬 A festival e-brochure sent to you.
📰 A quarterly Friends of Lyra e-newsletter from Lyra’s Co-Directors, with updates and opportunities.
📖 All limited edition Lyra pamphlets posted to you, such as the City Poet anthology or commissioned publications.
🌿 PATRON – £100/year
Deepen Lyra’s impact.
As a Patron, you celebrate local voices, supporting schools and community partners in Bristol to explore the power of poetry.
All Friend perks, plus:
🍷 Invitation to an exclusive annual drinks reception with festival poets, staff, volunteers and partner organisations.
📝 An optional name credit on Lyra’s website.
🎓 A 20% discount to selected events and workshops.
🌳 CHAMPION – £200/year
Lead the way.
Champions are key supporters who secure the future and sustainability of Lyra, driving our festival and community projects forward.
All Friend & Patron perks, plus:
🎫 4x complimentary tickets to a Lyra Festival event of your choice.
🏅 An optional name credit in printed festival brochures and select publications.
✨ Why Your Membership Matters
Arts funding is becoming increasingly difficult for grassroots organisations to secure. With your help, we can guarantee that our core programme can run each year. Your contribution helps us:
Deliver inclusive programming and accessible events, including 100% wheelchair access, BSL interpreted events and family activities.
Bring exclusive national and international guests to perform in Bristol alongside local talent.
Run outreach projects with young people and local community groups in Bristol and the South West.
Champion poets from all backgrounds and lived experiences.
Keep events low-cost or free for the public.
Amplify poetry as a tool for community, connection and creativity.
➕ Ready to join?
🔗 Become a Friend of Lyra by selecting one of the above tiers.
📧 Questions? Contact us at info@lyrafest.com
Thank you for supporting the arts, and for believing in the power of poetry to inspire change.
🤝 Sponsorship
Partner with Lyra and amplify the power of community, connection and creativity in Bristol.
Sponsoring Lyra Bristol Poetry is a unique opportunity to align your brand with one of the South West’s most dynamic and inclusive cultural festivals. Whether you’re looking to support creativity, create opportunities for young people, engage new audiences, or demonstrate social responsibility, our sponsorship packages offer flexible, high-value options to suit your goals.
💡 Benefits of Sponsorship:
Brand Visibility & Reach
Put your brand in front of thousands of engaged festival-goers in premium arts venues, and alongside leading literary talents performing at the festival.
Community & Cultural Investment
Champion cultural diversity and education by specifically sponsoring one of our flagship projects – from the Bristol City Poet and Young City Poet programmes, to community poetry commissions and international cultural exchanges.
Corporate Social Responsibility
Enhance your CSR profile by investing in the arts and supporting accessible, community-driven programming which brings the people of Bristol together.
Exclusive Access & Hospitality
Enjoy free and discounted tickets to select Lyra events, perfect for client entertainment, team building, or a personal day out to enjoy local arts.
As a CIC (Community Interest Company), Lyra relies on the generosity of funders, partners and sponsors to deliver a festival and year-round programme that places poetry at the heart of Bristol’s cultural life. Your support helps us nurture creativity, inspire young voices, and bring people together through the power of words.
📩 For sponsorship enquiries and tailored packages, please contact: lucy@lyrafest.com (Co-Director)
🙌 Volunteering at Lyra
Get involved. Make poetry happen.
Each year, Lyra Bristol Poetry Festival brings together a small, dedicated team of volunteers to help us deliver an unforgettable celebration of live literature across the city.
Volunteering with Lyra is a fantastic way to experience the inner workings of a local arts festival, gain hands-on skills in event delivery, and connect with poets, audiences, and fellow creatives. Whether you’re looking to build experience in the arts, meet new people, or simply love poetry – we’d love to hear from you.
🛠 Volunteer roles include:
Front of house & box office (scanning tickets, selling merch)
Setting up and packing down events
Artist liaison & backstage support
Audience engagement & accessibility support
Collecting feedback & evaluation forms
Capturing smartphone content for social media
We’re looking for volunteers who are reliable, enthusiastic, and ready to get stuck in with a variety of tasks. The nature of a live festival means things can change quickly — flexibility and a calm head go a long way.
We particularly welcome applications from people from underrepresented or marginalised backgrounds, including working class, LGBTQIA+, disabled and global majority volunteers.
✨ What you’ll get:
A meaningful role with varied responsibilities
Insight into how a live literature festival runs
The chance to connect with the local poetry and arts community
Free entry to selected events (when off-duty)
A friendly, inclusive team atmosphere
A reference and volunteering certificate (if needed)
📩 To express interest or find out more, email: admin@lyrafest.com