Creative writing group supports patients’ mental health at Leeds Hospital

Set up by Dr James McGrath, a senior lecturer in Creative Writing at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Leeds Beckett University - the Becklin Centre Creative Writing Group launched after James read one of his own poems at a meeting and was invited to run creative writing sessions for patients and staff at the Becklin Centre, an NHS Trust hospital for psychiatric in-patients. It started as three sessions initially but went so well that it continued, and he has been returning to the centre every week to lead the group.

In August last year, the group launched its own magazine, Bright Soaring Jays, and they are now preparing their fifth issue. It is distributed to various NHS Leeds hospitals.

Last month, the Becklin Centre Creative Writing Group was one of four NHS projects shortlisted for the National Award for Positive Practices in Mental Health in the Acute In-Patient Care category and was highly commended.

During the summer months, James also runs the Listening Reading Group which has an emphasis on discussing short texts, often with a focus on mental health.

James said: "Something I have learned is that discussing a text evoking, say, a home setting, or an evening out, can be very emotional for service users who are inpatients and are temporarily unable to experience these things. A poem, a short story or an extract from a longer piece that offers prompts on mental health experience can enable patients to talk together in a safe space about their shared experiences.

"The Listening Reading Group also involves us listening to recordings of authors performing their own work, as well as recordings of songs – I encourage members to nominate their own reads for the group."

The two groups could not happen without the vital support of Becklin Centre staff. Activities Co-ordinators, Occupational Therapists and Nurses join in our sessions. Activities Co-ordinators Sharon Bonner and Paul Murray have been closely involved with the groups from the outset.

Paul said: "The creative process for mental health patients comes from the blending of thoughts, fears and aspirations of both patients and staff alike."

James added: "A quote which I often return to within the Listening Reading Group is from Shadowlands by William Nicholson - 'We read to know that we are not alone.' In our group, we consider how various authors have conceptualised and addressed their own experience in mental health, and if we can share some responses, then the guiding quotation might be in some ways fulfilled and a valuable sense of community can emerge."

During the last year James has been encouraging colleagues from Leeds Beckett to donate unneeded books to the Becklin Centre. The centre now has a library of around one thousand books, which patients can take back to their wards.