October 30, 2026

People living with a brain injury have been given a unique opportunity to explore their experiences through poetry and conversation as part of the Northern Health and Social Care Trust’s Finding the Words project.

Delivered by the Trust’s Community Brain Injury Service and the Community Arts Partnership, service users were brought together for a series of creative workshops facilitated by poet, Dr Shelley Tracey.

Through poetry, participants were supported to reflect on their recovery journeys, express their thoughts and emotions, and share aspects of their lived experience that can often be difficult to put into words.

Funded through Charitable Trust Funds, the initiative culminated in the launch of the Finding the Words podcast and companion poetry booklet at an event in Ballymena. The podcast features participants reading their own poems and speaking candidly about their experiences of recovery and what they gained from taking part in the project.

Stephanie Murray, who works as a Speech and Language Therapist within the Brain Injury Service, said: “We know that recovery following a brain injury is about much more than physical rehabilitation. It can involve adapting to significant life changes, rebuilding confidence and finding new ways to understand and communicate personal experiences.

“The Finding the Words project created a safe and supportive space where participants could reflect on their journeys through poetry, share their stories and connect with others who have had similar experiences. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who generously shared their experiences.

“The podcast and accompanying poems will now serve as a valuable resource within our Brain Injury Service, helping service users and carers navigate life after brain injury. We know the project will leave a lasting legacy, benefiting both those who took part and future service users for years to come.”

Professor Michele Kavanagh, Personal and Public Involvement Lead for Psychological Services added: “We are very grateful for the funding that made this project possible and for the ongoing commitment to involvement work within the community Brain Injury Service.

“On behalf of the service, I want to thank Shelley Tracey, who facilitated the poetry sessions, and Jacqueline Pogue whose leadership and dedication were instrumental in bringing this project to life before her retirement.

“Most importantly, I want to thank all of the service users who so generously shared their experiences. Their honesty, creativity and willingness to take part have created a valuable resource that will offer meaningful support to others affected by brain injury.”

The companion booklet highlights a range of themes explored throughout the workshops, including identity, resilience, hope and the importance of connection during recovery. Participants described arriving at the workshops uncertain about poetry, but many discovered it offered a powerful way to express feelings and experiences that might otherwise remain unspoken.

One participant reflected that ‘poetry allowed me to tell my story’, while another said, ‘it helped me express feelings I found difficult to say’.

Speaking at the launch, Conor Shields, Chief Executive of Community Arts Partnership, added: “The project highlights how creative approaches can complement rehabilitation by supporting psychological adjustment, encouraging self-expression and fostering peer support among people living with the effects of brain injury.

“The podcast and written reflections will continue to support service users and their families as they navigate their own recovery journeys, and we are very grateful to all those who took part.”