There is more poetry for travellers on the Tyne and Wear Metro to enjoy with a series of poems written by NHS workers now being showcased at several stations on the network. These are the result of the first Newcastle Hospitals Charity writer-in-residence programme for Newcastle Hospitals staff, hosted in partnership with writing development agency for the North of England, New Writing North.
The poems are being displayed at four Metro stations – Hebburn, Wallsend, West Jesmond and Longbenton. They include subjects including the joy and frustration of their professional lives, their personal experience of illness and being a carer and the value of the NHS.
Sarah McCourt, Head of Marketing, Communications and Information at Nexus, said: “Longbenton Metro station has become the home of poetry. People don’t expect to see art and poetry in public places like train stations, but Metro already has a long history of displaying art on the network, and the writing on display expands on that. We’re really proud to support this very special exhibition of Newcastle Hospitals staff writing. We hope the work will surprise and inspire our customers.”
Odeth Richardson, Head of Service in Occupational Health at Newcastle Hospitals has had three of her poems published, said: “The writer-in-residence programme was a god send for me as it helped me to develop my creative side but also provided a medium I could use to de-stress and support my wellbeing. It came at the right time. I have continued writing since the programme and it helps me to put things down that would normally occupy me and I can forget about it by channelling it into something positive. I am so pleased I could participate in this as it’s helped me to cope with challenges in other areas of my life. A huge thank you to the team for providing us with this outlet.”