Children of the Asylum is a collection of poems and creative works exploring the
experiences of children, placed in UK based mental health asylums in the late 18th and
early 19th centuries.
Created by people with a direct link to contemporary mental health services, including
those using services, carers, workers and those training to work in this important field -
it reflects on four, real life case studies. Divided into four chapters, it gives
voice…reimagines stories… adapts its approach - and reflecting the past, from a
present perspective, looks to the future.
Children of the Asylum has been led by Brightsparks (arts in mental health group) and
Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust in association with University of Leicester. Its production
been made possible as a result of funding from University of Leicester’s Wellcome Trust
Institutional Strategic Support Fund, and University of Leicester’s Wellbeing Matters (via
the generous support of the Edith Murphy Foundation). Further thanks are due to Attenborough
Arts Centre. Our greatest thanks and admiration to the artists and authors behind Children of
the Asylum; members of the award winning Showcase Collective and Artspace
group.
Cover artwork: Richard Abraham
