My Name Is Why
Lemn Sissay grew up in care. Today he is one of Britain’s best-loved poets. Through November and December, National Prison Radio will be broadcasting his book My Name Is Why. It’s a book about his upbringing and the institutional care system. It’s also about family, race and the meaning of home.
Just after he was born, Lemn and his mother were taken to the St Margaret’s Home for Unmarried Mothers in Wigan. Then, against his mother’s wishes, he was placed into long-term foster care with a white, working-class family in Wigan. His foster home was a deeply Christian environment, and over time he grew estranged from his foster family. Then he spent his teenage years in a series of children’s homes – abusive places that lacked love.
Growing up in these institutions led him to feel like his life had no value – because there was no-one in his life to remember his upbringing. Writing the book was his attempt to reclaim his life for himself. And it’s an absolutely brilliant book.
Its broadcast on National Prison Radio as part of our coverage of the Durham Book festival, which is a Durham County Council festival produced by New Writing North with support from Durham University and Arts Council England.
New Writing North teamed up with NPR to host a series of workshops around the book festival. The workshops were recorded inside HMP Low Newton, and also in Refuse – a community café staffed by volunteers including people with experience of the criminal justice system.
Lemn’s book was given to everyone who attended the workshops. It’s a book that celebrates why writing can be a positive way of overcoming extreme adversity.
By listening to My Name Is Why on National Prison Radio you may be inspired to put pen to paper – or you may just enjoy a brilliant voice telling an amazing story.
My Name Is Why by Lemn Sissay broadcasts on National Prison Radio every Thursday at midday and 6pm throughout November and December.
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