Poetry Health Service

The Poetry Health Service (PHS), founded by Manchester-based poet, playwright and performer, Hafsah Aneela Bashir, is a creative service offering both contemporary and classical poetry as a tool for connection and healing. Launched in July 2020 and featuring a range of poems contributed by writers from across the world, the PHS will prescribe poetry panaceas to users written by poets including Hafsah herself – a Jerwood Compton Poetry Fellow, Roger Robinson – winner of the 2019 TS Eliot Prize, Theresa Lola – Young People’s Laureate for London, Anthony Anaxagorou, Keisha Thompson, Shivanee Ramlochan, Shagufta Iqbal, Salena Godden as well as USA-based poets Roya Marsh, Buddy Wakefield and Aisha Sharif to name a few. All have generously donated poems to the PHS offering poetry by the people for the people.

The PHS embodies and champions the importance of art in supporting mental and emotional health. It is available to access via a dedicated website and phoneline, and users are gifted a complimentary poem - a poetry panacea - following the completion of a colour-based flowchart. 

In the spirit of connection users are invited to respond to their poetry panacea and the PHS experience with a Haiku of their own - a traditional Japanese form of poetry consisting of three short lines that do not rhyme. 

Sharing a range of exciting, inspiring, heart-warming and healing poetry from this unique literary apothecary, the Poetry Health Service is an Oldham Coliseum Theatre
Homemakers commission, in partnership with HOME, Manchester. The Interaction design is by Coney represented by Gareth Damian Martin & Tassos Stevens. This service has been brought to you by Hafsah, Coney and all the wonderful people who have donated their poems to this service.