SPOKEN-WORD artist George The Poet has become the patron of a black-led charity “making the poetic voice heard in political conversations.”

In his new role, the 34-year-old will perform at key events and support the fundraising efforts of Poetic Unity, celebrating its tenth anniversary.

The London-born performer of Ugandan heritage said: “Poetic Unity is unique in the work that it does in the community.

“I think they’ve got a very good model: they run campaigns about contemporary issues, which is what politics and political awareness should really be, beyond the ebb and flow of Westminster or the intrigue of different political parties.

“That is almost irrelevant compared with the kinds of things that Poetic Unity has campaigned on: air pollution, stop and search, Gaza.

“Poetic Unity is very forward thinking in making the poetic voice heard in political conversations.”

The Brixton-based charity has run programmes including the campaign Clean Air For The Ends, which has raised awareness of air pollution alongside south London-based collective Live And Breathe.

George The Poet, real name George Mpanga, has won five prizes at the British Podcast Awards for his series discussing topics such as Grenfell, poverty and music.