Lock and Key

Aaron opens up about his mental health over lockdown and how turning his dark thoughts into poetry kept him going.

Janet writes about how lockdown 'clipped her wings' when she struggled with her creativity. Despite this, she ended up writing and drawing non-stop. She shares a short piece along with a surprise bonus. We met on a sunny day at St. John's Gardens in Liverpool; the weather was too good to waste indoors so please forgive the noisy buses rushing by behind us. Lock and Key is an independent podcast in collaboration with Writing on the Wall. Supported using public funding by Arts Council England.

Heidi is a writer, music producer, filmmaker and actress. In My Cats she pays tribute to her cat Coco who passed away in December 2021. It is a light-hearted poem about the joys of having feline friends. Heidi has also directed and produced the short film, A Digital Present from a Stranger 2022. Follow Heidi on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Lock and Key is an independent podcast in collaboration with Writing on the Wall. Supported using public funding by Arts Council England.

Ratte relives coming out to his father as a trans man. Inkscape, inspired by the different versions of the letters he wrote to his dad, touches on the fears and anxieties that come with sharing your true self to loved ones, the risk of rejection and the importance of acceptance. If you or anyone you know has been affected by the topics discussed in this episode, you can reach out to the following: Gyro, Mindlife Trans, Mind Out, Switchboard LBGT+ Read more from Ratte: Write Minds Moving Foreword TransScripts Follow Ratte on Facebook and DeviantArt at @garnet69frost Lock and Key is an independent podcast in collaboration with Writing on the Wall. Supported using public funding by Arts Council England.

Hannah writes about conflict and its survivors finding comfort in each other. While Cosbie is a poem named after a dog, it explores the trauma his family endured caused by war - something Hannah resonates with having grown up in Northern Ireland. Read more from Hannah: It's Not OK Time to Breathe Write Minds Follow Hannah on Instagram at @hannaheynon141 Lock and Key is an independent podcast in collaboration with Writing on the Wall. Supported using public funding by Arts Council England.

Dawn explores life in lockdown with a piece written just after the first one in the UK was announced in 2020. It's a Lockdown is inspired by the events at the time that lead to empty supermarket shelves, people worrying about their next meal and the eventually proven suspicion that while this was all the happening, those in power were breaking their own rules. Read more from Dawn: No Offence Time to Breathe Follow Dawn on Twitter at @paisleymills Lock and Key is an independent podcast in collaboration with Writing on the Wall. Supported using public funding by Arts Council England.