MATT SOWERBY
Poet, Educator, Storyteller, Activist.
Biography
Matt Sowerby is the writer and speaker of prize-winning stories and poems about ecology, language, and protest.
His work is rooted in the power of utterance, embodiment, and ritual, and characterised by the use of history and myth to illuminate present realities.
A longtime climate and youth mental health activist, he serves as Regional Advisor to the National Trust and Youth Programmes Lead at The Resilience Project.
He was raised by the River Lune.
.webp)
THE RESILIENCE PROJECT • NATIONAL TRUST • BRITISH LIBRARY • NBC UNIVERSAL • PAINES PLOUGH • OPEN UNIVERSITY • LANCASTER UNIVERSITY • UN NEW YORK • BBC RADIO 3 • HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT •
The story so far
I started my activist journey as one of many local leaders in Greta Thunberg’s 2019 Fridays For Future movement. Together with my friends, I formed the school strike collective KASTLE and took to the streets.
Over the years, my activism has evolved hand in hand with my creative practice. I’ve had the privilege of working on a large number of exciting projects as an environmental writer, workshop facilitator, performance poet, and public speaker.
I’ve written about wetlands for the British Council, worked as an advisor on climate for the National Trust, and had my work exhibited at the UN Headquarters in New York. I’ve even won a couple of national poetry slams.
When the iconic Sycamore Gap tree was felled in 2023, I was honoured to be asked to help commemorate it.
Changemaking naturally comes with its own emotional burdens, including climate anxiety and burnout. One thread through all of my writing has been finding hopeful ways of living in a climate crisis.
Since 2024, I’ve been working at The Resilience Project, delivering programmes that support the mental health of young climate changemakers, helping them to find their peace, their power and their people.
Since then, I’ve been progressing on a new project — The Book of Oil and Water — exploring the relationship between petroleum and our oceans, activism and hope. The first chapter I wrote, ‘Hope is the Thing With Flippers’, won the international Nature Chronicles Prize in 2024.
Contact
Testimonials
"An exciting and engaging poet whose work is characterised by musicality, passion and belief in the power of language as a force for social change and justice."
Kim Moore
“had the entire audience utterly rapt. If you see him performing anywhere near you, go and see!"
Katie Hale
"A voice that is both insightful and refreshing. A name well worth taking note of."