Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, the lead provider of mental health, learning disability and autism services across the Black Country, proudly brought its much‑loved (Un)spoken Word: Poetry for the Soul event to this year’s Wolverhampton Literature Festival, creating a powerful space for expression, connection and community wellbeing.
Founded in 2021 under the banner of the NHS Trust, (Un)spoken Word poetry group was established to give voice to experiences often left unspoken: mental health, suicide prevention, recovery, hope and the everyday realities of life. The group is led by local poet and Strategic Suicide Prevention Coordinator, David Stocks, alongside aspiring poet and colleague Kate Pritchard. Together, they champion the use of poetry as a tool for hope, healing and understanding.
A safe space to be heard
The event welcomed seasoned writers, first‑time poets and those who simply wished to listen. Attendees were invited to:
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Bring and share their own poems, exploring themes of mental health, resilience, hope and wellbeing.
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Create together in a collaborative workshop, co‑writing a poem that captured connection, courage and community spirit.
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Feel supported, with trained Mental Health First Aiders from the Trust present to ensure a safe, inclusive and compassionate environment.
The session offered a warm and reflective atmosphere, encouraging people to express themselves freely and feel part of a shared experience.
Why It Matters
“Mental health challenges affect people from all walks of life, and creative expression can play a vital role in helping individuals process emotions, build confidence and feel understood.” explains David Stocks.
“(Un)spoken Word has already reached many across the Black Country through community gatherings and a published collection of participant poetry.
“The event at Wolverhampton Literature Festival reinforced the therapeutic value of creativity. Poetry provides a unique way for people to communicate thoughts and feelings that may be difficult to express in everyday conversation. It also helps others gain insight, encourages empathy and reduces feelings of isolation.”
Black Country Healthcare continues to champion creative, preventative approaches to mental health support which can strengthen early help, build resilience and ensure that people feel connected long before they reach a point of crisis.
A celebration of community and creativity
The success of (Un)spoken Word: Poetry for the Soul at Wolverhampton Literature Festival demonstrates the growing appetite for creative wellbeing initiatives across the Black Country. Participants left feeling uplifted, connected and inspired, many taking away new tools for self‑expression and emotional wellbeing, as poet Jeremy Grant describes:
“(Un)spoken Word was a wonderful, inspiring day in Wolverhampton. It was great to reconnect with familiar faces and make new creative connections in such a warm, uplifting space. Events like this remind us of the power of words to bring people together.”
Dexter O'Hara, psychologist and author enjoyed the openness of discussion:
"It usually takes me weeks of sessions to get people to open up as much as they did here today."
BCHFT remains committed to expanding opportunities for communities to come together, share their stories and find hope through creativity.
"If I could bottle, the warmth, support and love found in the (Un)spoken word poetry group, there would be no need for any other medicine or therapy for mental wellbeing." David Stocks reflects.
The (Un)spoken Word poetry group welcomes all. Find out more: www.blackcountryhealthcare.nhs.uk/about-us/unspokenword.
