An NHS-backed poetry event that has featured a ‘who’s who’ of nationally acclaimed artists is in the running for a national award by public vote.‘WORD!, is delivered by the voluntary organisation of the same name in partnership with Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (LPT) and Leicester's Y Theatre.
It is the Midlands’ longest-running poetry and spoken word night.
Active for 16 years, the open mic and booked-acts night is recognised as a central fixture on the region’s literature scene. Now it has been shortlisted for the UK’s ‘Best Regular Spoken Word Night’ title in the prestigious national Saboteur Awards – and is going head to head against rival finalists from Edinburgh, Salford, Wakefield and London.
Now public votes are needed to help secure the honour for the city before the deadline of midnight on Sunday (30 April) LPT arts in health co-ordinator and WORD!
Chair Lydia Towsey, pictured left at a WORD! event, (photo by Nathan Human), said: “Our core event is unique in Leicester and Leicestershire as a ‘mainstream’, open-to-all night, offering great entertainment and artistic quality, while also particularly focusing on health, wellbeing and excluded audiences. “
As far as we know, we are unique in being partnered by an NHS Trust and a unique example, both nationally and locally, of mental health partnership working and co-production around this theme. “Over the years we have presented nationally and internationally acclaimed artists including John Hegley, Kate Tempest, George Szirtes, John Agard, Penelope Shuttle, Jo Bell and our patron, Jean Binta Breeze MBE.”
WORD! has also featured the work of powerful locally based voices including - Shruti Chauhan, Jess Green, Toby Campion and Will Horspool (aka Poetman) - and has programmed showcases by community groups including ESOL students from Leicester College; refugee writers at City of Sanctuary; The Bradgate Writers (with experience of mental health issues) and Project LALU, a group of female ukulele players writing bilingually and committed to cultural cohesion and wellbeing.
Lydia added: “We’re so thrilled to have been nominated for a Saboteur Award. Winning would be a dream and help our current endeavour to secure public funding so we can substantially grow our work and make it possible for to reach even more people. We’d be indebted to anyone taking the time to vote for us.”
You can vote for WORD! by visiting www.saboteurawards.org Voting is open until midnight, 30 April.