CONSULTANT
Unlocking engagement through the power of words
As a Community Engagement Consultant, I support organisations, businesses, and individuals in developing initiatives that are meaningful, inclusive, and impactful. I work with you to build genuine connections with communities, avoiding tokenism and focusing instead on authentic engagement that creates real value. Because when you do good, you look good too.
With over 10 years of community engagement experience gained from founding Young People Insight to serving as Croydon Poet Laureate, I bring a strong foundation in project management, event curation, workshop delivery, and facilitating group discussions or activities.
I provide consultation and support on:
Community and youth engagement strategies
Starting, developing and running community platforms
Designing and managing creative community projects and programmes
Curating poetry events and projects
Collaborating thoughtfully with artists and creatives
Developing a Poet Laureate programme for your area
I am committed to creating spaces where everyone feels heard, respected, and empowered to contribute. Whether you need strategic guidance, creative insight, or skilled facilitation, I bring a collaborative and flexible approach tailored to your needs – either consulting directly with your team or facilitating engagement with specific groups.
You can work with me directly, or I can facilitate group engagement to help shape your project, assess community needs, and support informed, inclusive decision-making. Together, we can create initiatives that make a real difference.
Services
Consult Directly
Book consultation meetings, workshops or presentations, as and when you need support.
On Retainer
Consult Externally
Ongoing support with the option to book time with me up to four times a month.
Facilitated group engagement to enhance reports, shape projects, and inform decision-making.
© Photo: Chris O'Donovan for Croydon Council
Past Work
I ran consultation workshops in schools and a Pupil Referral unit, focused on young people's engagement with culture in Croydon. The information contributed to a report and the approach to working with young people during Croydon's year as London Borough of Culture.
Sessions consisted of discussions guided by tailored questions and writing poems in response to prompts.
Croydon Voices
Worked with Croydon Music & Arts
Family (dys)Function
Worked with Dance Umbrella & BirdGang
I ran consultation workshops with youth dance groups and elders groups to gather personal stories and information to support BirdGang's new show, as well as assessing the needs of different age groups who would be part of the show.
Sessions consisted of discussions guided by tailored questions and creative writing in response to prompts.
The title of Shaniqua’s one-woman show, Love Warrior, perfectly encapsulates how hard she fights for what she believes in and having had the pleasure of working with Shaniqua since 2015 (co-producing Living in Poetry Festival, commissioning poems, workshops and performances) I can confidently and sincerely say her work is an incredible example of how passion, creativity and professionalism can positively influence and uplift a community. A true leader by example.
YPI was the hub for anyone under the age of 30. Where the government failed to accommodate for the young people’s voices and opinions, YPI did more than just pick up the slack. I've seen regular guests at the events grow from strength to strength, they have come out of their shell so much and that’s all down to YPI giving us that stage.
Hakeem Hall - Young People Insight Participant
Testimonials
Darren Randon - Creative Community Builder
Shaniqua has shown me how creative writing and poetry can be used to empower children and young people and to make their voices heard. Her workshops across the full range of schools in Croydon, primary and secondary, mainstream and special, produced poems where children and young people told us about their lives. It also told me, as Head of Croydon Music and Arts, that I should be promoting this creative and cultural extension to literacy as an essential part of education.
Graeme Smith
Shaniqua is a creative force for good in our community, championing young people in the borough when no one else would. She has carved out spaces for their voices to be heard, seen and valued, setting an example of lifting others as she climbs. Quietly fierce and intentional in every action, Shaniqua leads with purpose and has gifted us with her poetic voice.
Youth Provisions Officer