Professor Green

Today was all about the written and spoken word. And what could be more fitting on National Poetry Day?

This evening we held a really successful event, in partnership with our colleagues at Writing on the Wall, to announce the winners in our 2nd annual 'Mental Health and Me' writing competition.

There were 7 categories: poetry, short stories, blogs/diaries, tweets, letters, journalism and spoken word, and shortlisted entrants read their pieces to an enthusiastic audience at Liverpool Central Library. We had music, canapés and a worthy overall winner from the spoken word category - congratulations Pat!

Jeremy Corbyn's newly appointed Shadow Minister for Mental Health, Luciana Berger MP, came along and said a few words and the winner was announced by the very lovely rap star, Professor Green.

The good Professor is currently on tour but took time out on his one day off to come over to Liverpool, listen to all the writers' performances and give them some real encouragement, not just about their writing but about their mental wellbeing. He's been very open about his own experiences with depression and about the suicide of his father - both of which are touched upon in his track 'Lullaby' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rHiLAdMmss and he really struck a chord with the audience.

I had a good chat with him after the event and can report that he's genuinely an absolute sweetheart.

His autobiography 'Lucky' is on sale now and makes for a fascinating read.

Which leads me to note that all the shortlisted writers in this year's competition have been included in the 'Mental Health and Me, 2015' anthology. Available now online and in all good bookshops!

Write on!