Sola Adebiyi

Sola Adebiyi describes himself as ‘first and foremost an educator’ Over a period of 20 years he has developed a number of media to facilitate this.

Sola’s early journey took him through play scheme and youth work in which he learned to communicate effectively with children and young people. He gained a BA in Cultural studies and began researching and teaching African History. He combined this with the proverbs and stories he learned growing up in a Nigerian household. His story telling, poetry and public speaking use these early experiences as ‘root soil’.

His engaging style develops rapport easily, using writing/story telling/drama in a way that is impacting and enabling. Sola has developed a bank of stories that cover a wide range of issues.  He has researched / developed a wide range of these, some gleaned from others, some self written. He uses these to facilitate creative development for children at KSII, III & IV.

Sola uses stories and performance to provoke discussion, to promote writing and to encourage insight in young people. His work is dynamic, insightful and thoroughly engaging

His work includes presentations at conferences, workshops, libraries, schools, management centres, councils, teacher training insets and seminars (London wide, nationally and internationally).

He developed a programme called Creative Mentoring© to workshop in schools from Key stages II - IV.  This is an issue based personal development programme for professionals. It adapts physical role play, debate, storytelling and cultural education to enable participants to challenge their current approach to working with young people. This programme acknowledges good practice then provides new tools, a better understanding of the issues and a source of replenishment

In his new programme Densu’s Journey he works with other experienced practitioners to deliver self development workshops using storytelling, writing and movement to help young people approach change positively and understand their transitions. The work is complemented by a practical survival course that teaches real skills.

 

Sola excelled as a Learning Mentor, Youth Leader and informal educator. Since 2005 he has also written a training package on conflict resolution (called ‘Fear Into Power’) for a charity called Working With Men, commissioned by Westminster Council. He provides a consultancy service for the same organisation.

At present he is programme managing at an organisation called KORI Arts, a Youth Programme for 8-17 year olds based in the Borough of Haringey in North London. It was founded in 2002 and focuses on the use of the Arts to develop young people’s skills, broaden career options and provide self development opportunities with an understanding of real community.

Sola’s commitment to education incorporates his  own self-development. Asked how he sees the future he replies ‘Journeys become journeys and stories grow stories…the saga continues!’

Eugenia Atta Church St Library Westminster

Christine Campion Calverton Primary School Newham

  Wales, France, Jamaica, Grenada

Lynnette Brown Learning Mentor Coordinator  Islington Arts & Media School