Write Out Loud has launched its most ambitious poetry competition yet, to raise funds for the NHS Charities Together COVID-19 Urgent Appeal. The Beyond The Storm Poetry Competition for poems about the lockdown and beyond will be judged by award-winning poet Andrew McMillan and is supported by the BBC Casualty team, who will recite shortlisted entries on video for a special ‘People’s Vote’ category alongside the competition winners. They are looking for poems about life under lockdown, and what the future may hold in the aftermath.

Andrew McMillan said: “I’m looking forward to spending some time in isolation with your poems!  Poetry has a unique ability to reflect on what is happening now but also imagine a different world which might emerge. Be bold and be brave.”  Unlike most poetry competitions, there will be no cash prizes for the winners. This is because the aim is to raise as much money as possible for the NHS Covid-19 appeal, which gives grants to enhance the well-being of NHS staff and volunteers caring for Covid-19 patients.

The money will be raised through competition entries and other donations, which are optional – but also essential! Selected poems will appear in a competition anthology.