Matthew McKenzie FRSA BEM, poet and advocate for unpaid ethnic mental health carers, is inviting carers involved in NHS Trusts, PCREF (Patient and Carer Race Equality Framework), and Trust involvement registers to submit their poems for an upcoming 2026 poetry collection. This collection will spotlight minority carers’ voices and explore themes of race, culture, and lived experience in mental health care.
About the Poetry Collection
The collection will focus on amplifying minority carers’ experiences through poetry. It will be part of the paperback version of Matthew’s upcoming poetry book Unpaid, Unseen and Yet Unbroken and will include poems from carers all over the country. This is a unique opportunity for minority ethnic carers to have their voices heard and their stories shared on a national platform, contributing to the ongoing conversation about race equality, care, and mental health.
Why Should You Submit a Poem?
If you’re a minority carer or carers from underrepresented community, your voice matters. PCREF is committed to creating systemic change, and this collection will work alongside it to ensure that carers from minority communities are not left unheard. Submitting your poem gives you the chance to:
- Raise awareness of the emotional, cultural, and psychological realities of being a carer.
- Inspire others by sharing your lived experience.
- Amplify minority voices within NHS Trusts, PCREF spaces, and mental health care systems.
Who Can Submit?
We welcome submissions from unpaid ethnic mental health carers who are:
- Involved in NHS Trusts, PCREF, or trust involvement registers.
- Attending ethnic mental health carer peer groups at carer centres
- Interested in sharing their personal experiences and reflections through poetry.
How to Submit Your Poem:
- Submit an original poem that reflects the emotional, cultural, and psychological realities of being an unpaid mental health carer.
- Poems can focus on themes such as:
- Emotional challenges of care
- The hidden burden of caring
- Resilience and survival
- Navigating mental health services
- Coping with racial and cultural barriers in care
- Family dynamics in caregiving
- Deadline for submissions is late April 2026.
Submission Guidelines:
- Format: Poems can be submitted in Word, PDF, or plain text format.
- Length: There is no strict length, but we recommend that submissions be no longer than 1 page.
- Multiple submissions: You can submit more than one poem if desired.
- Contact Information: Please include your full name, contact details along with your poem, so i can credit you. Unless you wish to be anonymous.
How to Submit:
- Email your submissions to info@caringmindblog.com.
- Include “Poetry Submission” in the subject line.
You can also reach out to Matthew directly if you have any questions about the submission process or the collection.
What Happens After You Submit?
Once submissions are received, I will review all entries and select poems that align with the themes of the collection. All selected poets will be notified and credited in the final publication.
Need Inspiration or Support?
If you’re unsure where to start or need some encouragement, consider reflecting on your personal journey as a carer. Think about moments where language failed to express your experience or times when your strength surprised you. Your story is valuable, and this collection is about lifting up voices that have often been overlooked.
Contact Information:
For any questions or additional information, please contact Matthew McKenzie:
- Email: info@caringmindblog.com
- Website: www.caringmindblog.com
Submit Your Poem and Be Part of the Change
This is your chance to raise awareness and inspire others by sharing your lived experiences through poetry. Help shape a future where minority carers are valued, heard, and recognized for the essential work they do. We look forward to reading your stories!
A Caring Mind 