Beautiful anthology captures the voices of NHS staff, other key workers and self-isolating members

NHS staff, other key workers and self-isolating members of the public from across the UK have all contributed to a new poetry series which are snapshots of life in the time of COVID-19.

These evocative, heart-wrenching and inspiring pieces, produced by participants in the ‘Writing for Wellbeing’ initiative run by the University of Liverpool’s Literature & Science Hub, articulate the emotions and experiences of living through the pandemic. Some deal with the virus directly, while others find ways to consider related questions surrounding nature and technology, community and care and, above all – hope.

This anthology published by University of Liverpool Literature and Science Hub also includes links to creative-writing resources from the University of Liverpool’s English Department for use by educators and aspiring writers.

All proceeds from the sale of this anthology go to NHS charities in the Merseyside area.

‘Writing for Wellbeing’ was a creative writing programme led by Bernadette McBride creative practitioner and co-editor of the anthology during the first lockdown alongside Dr Sam Solnick and other contributing academics from the University of Liverpool’s English department.

Participants signed up to the course both locally and across the nation, and produced such great writing that it was decided an anthology should be published celebrating their work. Features include the poem “Angels” by staff at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and writing by other NHS and key workers from hospitals across the UK, as well work contributed by self-isolating members of the public.

Bernadette McBride is a PhD Candidate in Creative Writing at the University of Liverpool and the author of Roots: The Eco-journal (pub. The Green Guild, 2018). In 2019 she was awarded the Liverpool Guild award for ‘The Biggest Impact on the City of Liverpool’ for her work as a creative practitioner in the city’s community, schools, and NHS.

Get the latest for Liverpool here.