Shropshire libraries take Poetry on Loan to reading group

Members of a hospital reading group enjoyed a session with award-winning writer Kenton Samuels through Shropshire Council libraries service’s Poetry on Loan partnership.

Group members, long-stay patients and staff at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital welcomed Kenton at their October meeting at Horatio’s Garden as part of Black History Month and to celebrate Libraries Week.

Poetry on Loan at RJAH

Winner of the Wolverhampton resident’s poetry prize at the 2022 Wolverhampton Literature Festival, Kenton led a workshop sharing his work and inspiring the group with his poetry.

Kenton Samuels

He said:

“It was a relaxed, informal atmosphere. It was a new setting and type of event for me too so I’m glad for the experience!

“Having poets perform at Horatio’s Garden is, I think, an excellent use of the space and a way to enhance and inspire patients’ experiences at the hospital and in the garden. I’m grateful to have been asked and I hope everyone who attended felt entertained, inspired and blessed.”

Rob Gittins, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for culture and digital, said:-

“This is an excellent example of how our libraries service can help improve people’s wellbeing.

“I am sure the group and the guests appreciated Kenton coming to see them and he clearly enjoyed visiting them in the hospital and the event has broadened all their experience.”

Mirka Duxberry, Shropshire Council’s library development manager, added:-

“Poetry on Loan events allow us to work in much more targeted way, with people outside of the traditional library setting. Kenton’s poetry performance was relatable, rhythmic, and beautifully delivered and left people wanting to engage in further exploration of poetry.”

Poetry on Loan promotes contemporary poetry through public libraries in the West Midlands by supplying poets for events, supporting Poet Laureate and Young Poet Laureate schemes, providing promotional material and training sessions.