Heartening news about the healing power of open-mic poetry – something we at Write Out Loud have always evangelised about – has come in an article in the Guardian.

In a first-person piece in the newspaper’s life and style section Caroline Butterwick talks about how performing at the mic in Stoke-on-Trent changed her life.

In the article she says: “I had been attending these open mics for a year and this was my first time performing. As a student, I had been active and sociable, but a period of mental ill health in my early 20s dented my confidence. I am partially sighted, too, which means going somewhere new can be daunting; I can miss the visual cues for striking up conversation, while navigating unfamiliar surroundings is tricky. By the time I was 28, I was stuck in a cycle of safe activities, such as dinner with my circle of friends in our go-to restaurants.

“I also felt disconnected from my community in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, where I had moved for university. Sometimes, I felt lonely, especially as most of my uni friends now lived further away – social occasions were something that needed to be planned weeks in advance. I didn’t know many people locally any more and realised I needed to do something to forge new connections.

“Then a new friend of my husband asked if we wanted to join her at a poetry open mic that night. I was unsure – at the time, I often felt an internal resistance to new experiences. But I knew I had to move forward.

“We arrived at the bar and perched on stools at the back. It was busy. I sipped my drink awkwardly. Then the person opposite said hello and we chatted until the host took to the stage. Everyone applauded and cheered as the poets performed. During breaks, I chatted to others with ease. These were people who lived in the same city as I did. They were sharing their poetry with one another, laughing and joking. I was hooked. It reignited the spark of impromptu nights out that seemed to belong to a past version of me. I remembered how much I loved the shared experience of art.

“I became a regular and started to recognise familiar faces, looking forward to catching up over a pint of cider and spoken-word poetry. The acquaintance who had first invited me soon became a good friend.

“And it wasn’t just the poetry night. I started trying other experiences, eager to make more connections within my community. Yes to a gig at that new venue. Yes to a community fair. I was moving out of my comfort zone. I posted on Facebook to ask for recommendations of places to visit locally and soon found myself exploring a beautiful country park with a friend. I now feel a stronger connection with my adopted home town and with the people who live here.

“Watching others perform their poetry, I was inspired to write my own. Standing on the stage two years ago, reading my fledgling poems, I felt buoyed by the community spirit. That open mic showed me the joy of stepping out of my comfort zone. It helped me find myself again. I am beginning to feel that I belong.”

In one sense Caroline’s story is a remarkable one. In another, it doesn’t surprise us at all. In an interview to mark our 20th year of spreading the word about open-mic poetry and its wellbeing benefits, Write Out Loud’s co-founder Julian Jordon said: “We realised that this open-mic/read-around poetry was more than just a friendly exchange of our scribblings, it was a way for individuals to be able to express themselves, to find a voice and an audience to hear it.

“We all start somewhere, and many of the organisations that have grown up supporting writers and diversifying the mix of those engaging with poetry, ourselves included, have helped people to move up the continuum from beginner to an improving poet and beyond. Of course, not everyone actually wants to do more than share their work with like-minded others, whether online or in local groups. It is a social activity as much as a means of expressing yourself in your unique way, and sharing your views with others.”

Meanwhile we at Write Out Loud still have a couple of questions about that Guardian article. Where is this fabulous open-mic night in Stoke-on-Trent? And why isn’t it already on our Gig Guide?!