Poets' performance showcases city's healthcare past

Emma Purshouse and Sophina Jagot detailed Wolverhampton's healthcare history through spoken-word poetry

Poets used a spoken-word performance to take people through the history of healthcare in Wolverhampton.

The event led by Sophina Jagot and Emma Purshouse shared a potted history of the Royal Hospital and wider healthcare in the city, going as far back as 1849.

The performance at the Mander Health Hub was inspired by current and former NHS staff as well as local historians and residents’ experiences of healthcare throughout the years.

It explored themes including gender role stereotyping and access to services, based on these perspectives.

'We've had a blast'

Ms Jagot said it was fantastic to work with residents to reflect their experiences in the project.

Ms Purshouse said: “We’ve had a blast uncovering Wolverhampton’s healthcare history and each individual perspective has shaped our performance.”

Helen Trainer, Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust's healthy age co-ordinator, has worked for the NHS since 1976 and said: “It’s an interesting and engaging way to capture and showcase the healthcare history of Wolverhampton, representing a variety of experiences and memories.”

Organised by the trust's arts and heritage group, the event was part of the Care, Create, Conserve project – an initiative to help both preserve and showcase the history of the city’s healthcare.

The project was recently awarded almost £140,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, which will go towards establishing a museum.