In Our Own Words

Join us for In Our Own Words, for an exploration of ways in which NHS staff have been and can be supported to tell their stories, make sense of their NHS experiences and feel heard.

The workshop begins with a short performance by Wake The Beast Theatre Company drawn from the words of NHS staff and is followed by an exploration of how storytelling, in all its different forms, can support you, your colleagues and the broader health and care workforce.

In Our Own Words uses creative activities and the co-creation of verbatim theatre to propel unheard voices into the national conversation on NHS staff mental health. The project supports staff wellbeing and provides a space for the elevation of marginalised voices.

In Our Own Words started at Whittington Health NHS Trust in 2020 and was rolled out across several NHS Trusts & Care Homes during the Covid-19 pandemic to support healthcare staff. The piece was performed at the Houses of Parliament in April 2023.

The workshop will include a presentation of outcome data and lessons learned from the team behind the project, and a post-show discussion on effective ways of utilising the arts in health settings, featuring speakers discussing work on NHS storytelling projects in Greater Manchester. This includes Lime Arts, the University of Manchester NHS Foundation multi award-winning arts and health organisation and Voices of our National Health Service, a research programme on the history of the NHS.

Greater Manchester has committed to becoming the first city region in the world to realise the power of creativity, culture and heritage in addressing inequities and improving the health and wellbeing of its residents. The Greater Manchester Creative Health Strategy was launched in 2022, which illustrates how creative health approaches can contribute to reducing inequities across the life course.

Find out More

Watch: Look back at 'In Our Own Words' performances with Whittington Health Trust staff members in the community and in the hospital.

Watch: NHS at 70 Voices of Our National Health Service

Creative Manchester

Creative Manchester is an interdisciplinary research platform based at The University of Manchester. The platform champions research in creativity and creative practice, bringing together research communities with external stakeholders to explore new research areas and address strategic opportunities. Please visit the website for more information about Creative Manchester.

Find out more about Health Inequalities at the University of Manchester.

Register here to receive regular updates on upcoming Creative Manchester news, events and funding opportunities. You can also connect with Creative Manchester via our Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Manchester Museum, Oxford Road, Manchester, United Kingdom