Mike and other members of his Mencap group take part in poetry workshops, and share their verses at open mic events in the community . Their words can be powerful, moving and a lot of fun too. 

The poetry group is helping other people with a learning disability to express their frustrations with everyday inequality, along with their hopes, improving mental wellbeing. 

"It’s helped a lot, helping others in the group to find their voices. And I know we’re helping people to understand disabled people a bit more." - Mike.

Mike spends hours working closely with group members with limited speech to find the words to express themselves. One short poem was three weeks in the making.

In this heart warming example, Mike turned a personal crisis into hope by making a moving poem in memory of his late sister, who meant the world to him. 

Good-bye Laura by Mike Knowles

I have nothing  but happy memories
About my sister, Laura

She helped me grow throughout my life
My friend, how I adored her

We used to fight it's true to say
I had nothing but love for you

Ice cream at the beach
As I freaked out
To scare the geese away

If only I could talk to Laura
Just for one last time
Then there are things I'd like to say
That I've written in this rhyme

I hope you know
How grateful I am
For everything you did for me

And I hope that I 
was a good brother to you
I did my best, you see.

Goodbye Laura.
Such a lovely sister
Who always made me laugh

Sadly missed
Forever loved
My poetic epitaph.

 

You can find other poems from the group in our The power of words leaflet (PDF).