New poet in residence opportunity centres mental health and racial justice in Leeds

Synergi-Leeds and Words of Colour have launched a new poet in residence opportunity for Leeds-based, emerging poets of black and South Asian heritage who wish to centre lived experience narratives of mental health – and amplify racial justice.

Part of the city-wide Remembering What’s Forgotten programme, the eight-week poetry residency is a creative response to the over-representation of black and South Asian men detained under the Mental Health Act and as in-patients in psychiatric wards, in Leeds – and nationally.

Open to Leeds residents with lived experience, of all genders and ages – from 18+, the selected poet will produce an original piece of work informed by newly collected narratives covering 50 years of unheard community history.  

As part of the residency, the poet will receive:

• a £2,500 bursary as funded time, space and travel to develop their work
• a creative entrepreneurship masterclass with Words of Colour
• access to studio space and mentoring, courtesy of Khadijah Ibrahiim
• career signposting and advice from New Writing North
• workshops and talks at Manchester Poetry Library

Co-produced by Khadijah Ibrahiim and Heritage Corner, who host the award-winning Leeds Black History Walks, the residency is funded by the Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Two leading Northern writing and poetry agencies – New Writing North and Manchester Poetry Library – are project allies.

Sharon Prince, Deputy Director, Psychological Professions, at Leeds & York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The Remembering What’s Forgotten poetry residency is an opportunity for creative expression and storytelling, allowing the selected poet to share powerful narratives that might otherwise remain unheard. I hope the poet in residence can further develop their sense of agency and identity in their craft and that the final piece provides our city with a better understanding of the mental health challenges, historical exclusion and systemic barriers faced by racially minoritised people.”

Will Mackie, Senior Programme Manager (Talent Development), New Writing North, said: “We are pleased to be a project ally of the Remembering What’s Forgotten and to play a part in supporting the poet in residence as part of the programme. This bold and unique project challenging mental health inequality and racial injustice among communities in Leeds gives a voice to the unheard. Having seen how effective residencies can be, I believe that the poet in residence will play a key part in the programme and its legacy, creating lasting and meaningful artistic work.”

Khadijah Ibrahiim, poet, Artistic Director at Leeds Young Authors and a newly elected Royal Society of Literature Fellow, said:  “I’m supportive of the poet in residence role as poetry, storytelling and orality have always been prevalent in black and brown communities as a form of expression and a means of passing on family stories and history. Despite its accessibility and cultural significance, poetry has been undervalued as a learning resource in some educational and social settings. Poetry can be an effective tool for those seeking to articulate their thoughts and experiences related to mental health and wellbeing.”

Becky Swain, Director, Manchester Poetry Library at Manchester Met, said: “Manchester Poetry Library is delighted to be a project ally for the Remembering What’s Forgotten poet in residence opportunity. We share the project’s commitment to the development of inclusive programmes, and look forward to supporting the promotion of the opportunity and to learning about best practice in archiving and centring lived experience.” 

Joy Francis, Remembering What’s Forgotten’s Project Manager and Executive Director, Words of Colour, said: “The Remembering What’s Forgotten’s poet in residence opportunity, centring mental health and racial and social justice, comes at a time when black and South Asian men continue to be over-represented as inpatients in psychiatric wards. Their narratives, and those of the communities they are from, remain unfairly hidden. This residency, for an emerging poet with lived experience, amplifies the importance of poetry as a change agent and an enduring art form that speaks to and represents the realities of our times.”

A virtual information session on how to apply for the residency will be hosted on Tuesday 30^th July 2024, from 1pm to 2pm. You can book your place here.

The deadline for applications has been extended to midnight on Wednesday 14th August 2024 and the selected poet will be announced on Wednesday 4^th September 2024. You can find out how to apply here.

The Remembering What’s Forgotten team also dedicate this announcement to Annette ‘Judah’ Morris after her untimely passing. An acclaimed Leeds-based musical artist, performer and mental health activist, she was a valuable member of the Synergi-Leeds core team and network, who will continue the work in her legacy.