The therapeutic power of poetry is being showcased by a leading Black Country NHS Trust with the release of a powerful new poetry collection.
‘Unspoken Word’, is available to read digitally from today (21 March) and has been released by Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust to coincide with World Poetry Day.
The book features more than 30 poems created by a group of poetry lovers from across the Black Country, exploring life and mental health though personal reflections.
The collection was borne out of a spoken poetry event in October 2021 which turned into a poetry group for people to talk about their mental health, wellbeing and life through poetry in a supportive space.
Their work has been curated in the book, which is now available to be shared with patients, carers, staff and communities.
David Stocks, the editor of ‘Unspoken Word’, is an advocate for the therapeutic power of poetry and as a tool to communicate with others, especially when sharing mental health difficulties.
David, who works as a Suicide Prevention Community Development Worker at the Trust, said: “When I started the (Un)spoken word poetry group, I didn’t know how powerful it would be. Connecting through poetry, forming stronger links, in a way no other medium could.
“The feeling of support, shared experience and heartfelt words is something that I will always treasure inside me. The resulting book is a diamond cut from human experience, to be shared by an even greater audience.”
Kate Pritchard, from the Trust’s communications team who helped organise the group and create the book, commented on how she has been inspired by the process.
She said: "It has been a privilege to spend time with our talented poets and help showcase their wonderful poetry in our bostin Black Country and beyond. They have also inspired me to have the courage to write my own poem dedicated to my much-loved friend who sadly died last year. The day I wrote the poem I felt lost in sadness, but once I put pen to paper the words flowed as quickly as the tears. Tears that were soon washed away by happy memories. In that moment the therapeutic power of poetry was in full flow."
Alison Geeson, a Non-Executive Director at the Trust, is also a keen poet and has contributed to the book.
She said: “For me poetry is all about connection and sharing. Within the poetry events, David created a safe space for attendees whether they be accomplished poets or those who simply wanted to listen and connect. The space generated this wonderful poetry collection which is shared for your enjoyment and reflection.
“We would really like to grow our wellbeing culture of encouraging poetry and the launch of this collection is the beginning of a new chapter which everyone is welcome to be a part of.
“Begin with finding a little space and time to read and reflect on this collection. You may find this can be a welcome distraction from the stress life can bring. If you feel it, write it or speak it, whatever shape or form it comes to you in.
“The book will be shared with our patients, carers, staff and communities and will aim to support people’s wellbeing and encourage others to express themselves in poetry.”
‘Unspoken Word’ is now available to read and download at: https://www.blackcountryhealthcare.nhs.uk/about-us/unspokenword