Lia Linton

A CHARITY worker who set up a poetry workshop says “creating community and camaraderie” is necessary to combat Islington’s mental health crisis.

Lia Linton, 57, a former carer from Archway, has chaired poetry classes for the last five years and on Tuesday hosted a “Mother of Stories” poetry taster workshop at the Cat and Mouse library, in Camden Road, Holloway.

More dates are scheduled for June.

She said: “After being a carer for 15 years and recovering from long Covid, I wanted to do something creative. I started writing a poem a week and decided to help others. ‘Reach one, teach one’ is my philosophy In most poetry groups, you pick a poem and read it.

“I wanted to create an active poetry group where you wrote something and then share it with the community. Nowadays we don’t embrace our own stories, which means we don’t process the things that happen to us. It’s important to share our stories to create community and help each other.

“You can directly address a problem or your anger through poetry. I loved Mae Muller’s song I Wrote a Song on Eurovision, because that’s what you can do with a poem – you can process whatever you need to.”

The well-attended workshop saw participants of all ages asked to write three poems on a variety of topics, including the weather and their favourite songs.

Jasmine, 36, who is unemployed, said: “I enjoy writing as I think any art form is helpful for people like me with mental health difficulties.

“The best part of the workshop was sharing my poems with others. It was great to be in a safe space where we could all share and process our emotions.”

The workshop was organised by Age UK Islington. Its activities co-ordinator Carmen Alcovedes said: “Our activities – whether physical or online – help our clients get together and feel connected to their community. We encourage anyone feeling isolated to get involved.”