An aspiring young performer from Mapperley is using the power of poetry to persuade his peers that being a pillar of the community is far better than chasing a misguided reputation as a “bad boy.”    

Twenty-one-year-old Zion Payne, who wrote and performed a heartfelt spoken-word piece at a recent community event held by four of the UK’s largest charitable funders, hopes his creative flair can inspire young people to make positive life choices and for communities to step up and support them to take the right path.  

The gritty and thought-provoking piece stems from Zion’s reflections as a young adult, and his sadness that some vulnerable young people feel pressurised into carrying weapons, with a misplaced belief that they need to prove themselves as a ‘threat’ and represent for a gang.

Yet there is an underlying positive message of hope that by coming together, communities can support young people to aspire to a better life as a productive member of society.

Zion, of Mapperley, was given the opportunity to hone his creative talents at the Community Recording Studio (CRS) in Lowdham Street, St Ann’s, after being introduced to the youth facility several years ago by a family member.

CRS is one of a number of community organisations that was awarded multi-year funding as part of Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Gary Godden’s Safer Nottinghamshire Together grants scheme in 2025. 

Under the mentorship of CEO Trevor Rose, Zion said he learnt to express himself and feel “comfortable being vulnerable,” giving him the opportunity to channel his energy into positive and creative outlets. 

Now – speaking out as part of the national knife crime week of action known as Sceptre – Zion hopes to inspire other young people with his creativity, which was showcased at a recent collaboration and insight event at CRS, held by the Youth Endowment Fund, The National Lottery Community Fund, BBC Children in Need and Sport England.

Zion, an upcoming artist, said he was aware that some young people come to community and charity organisations like CRS when they are at a crossroads in life and may need support to stay away from harmful social influences.

“I do appreciate everybody comes from different backgrounds. There’s nature and nurture,” he said. 

“The environment that some people are brought up in does have a great deal of influence on the way they act.

“Sometimes there’s a lot of pressures that people feel about having a bravado and living up to certain expectations that might be the wrong expectations.   

“A lot of young people care about reputations and being a ‘bad boy.’

“This poem is about making people comfortable to be themselves and to prove to people that there is a different way of being a ‘bad boy’…  someone that’s respectful and polite and a pillar of the community, someone who can and will speak out and has the correct morals and values to be living by.”

Set up in 1991, CRS teaches film and video skills as well as music, giving youngsters access to professional equipment and key industry contacts.

The charity was founded by members of the local community who have first-hand experiences of the needs of young people growing up in the area.

Zion added: “In regards to the studio, some really important factors are the comfortability and creativity. It allows everybody to have a voice and allows you to be the best version of yourself.

“You don’t have to be afraid to be vulnerable there, and you can speak about really hard-hitting topics. It’s a great place to express and find purpose.

“I wrote the poem because I wanted to be an example for young people and show them we are all in the same space and you can use the guidance that I was given to do something positive.”

Zion praised his mentor, Trevor Rose, for giving him the opportunity to express himself at the studio and channel his energy in a positive way.

“Trev is probably one of the most influential men I have met in my life,” he said.

“I will forever be indebted to him for the positive influence he has had on my life.

“He has always given me the opportunity to express myself and have such great opportunities and feel like a pivotal part of the community.” 

PCC Godden paid tribute to Zion’s poetry and desire to be a positive role model.

“His poem is really powerful, thought-provoking and insightful,” he said.

“Zion is a perfect example of how young people can achieve great things when they are given opportunities and support from good role models like Trevor at CRS.

“As PCC, one of my responsibilities is to work closely with partner agencies and the community to create a safer Nottinghamshire for all, and this demonstrates clearly the positive impact we can have when we come together – to stand up and make a difference and give our next generation a platform to thrive.”