As part of Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, Burnley Words Festival is hosting a special evening of film, performance and spoken word at Down Town on Thursday 18th June, 7pm.
We’re inviting local writers and creatives to share original work as part of a curated spoken word section of the night.
Alongside the live event, selected pieces will also be displayed on café tables in the venue for the following two weeks, giving audiences a chance to encounter the work in a more informal, everyday setting.
What we’re looking for:
We’re open to poetry, spoken word, and short written pieces that connect in some way to:
- Men’s mental health
- Personal experience or reflection
- Community, identity, or place
- Support, resilience, and connection
While the theme may touch on difficult experiences, we are particularly interested in work that feels considered, accessible, and appropriate for a public-facing space where people of all ages and backgrounds may encounter it.
Who can apply:
- Writers based in Burnley or the surrounding area
- Emerging or experienced creatives
- All voices are welcome — while the theme centres on men’s mental health, we’re interested in a range of perspectives and responses
Event & display details:
📍 Down Town, Burnley
📅 Live event: Wednesday 18th June, 7:00pm
🗓️ Exhibition: Selected work will remain on display in the café space for approximately two weeks following the event
Selected writers will be invited to perform a short piece (approx. 3–5 minutes) as part of the evening.
What you can submit
- Poetry or short prose
- Maximum 20 lines or one side of A5
- Any style or voice, all levels of experience welcome
Your work may be selected for:
- Live performance at the event on 18th June
- Display in the café space for two weeks following the event
As the work will be experienced in a public setting, we ask that pieces are thoughtful, accessible, and suitable for a wide audience, while still reflecting your own voice and perspective.
Please note: due to the wider programme for the evening, there are a limited number of performance slots available, and not all selected pieces will be performed live.
If you would like to be considered for performance, please indicate this in your submission.
How to submit
Watch the full film online at:
www.burnleywordsfestival.co.uk/men-in-burnley
Email your work as a Word document attachment to:
[email protected]
Use the subject line:
Men’s Mental Health Event – Creative Submission
🕛 Submission deadline: 12pm, Monday 8th June
We want this call-out to be as accessible as possible. If you’d prefer to submit your work in a different format (such as audio or video), or need any support with your submission, please get in touch.
A note on the space:
This project aims to create a welcoming and respectful environment. The work will be experienced both as part of a live event and as a quiet, shared reading experience within a public café space.
