The Can in Can't - Poems by Sheffield Children in Care Council

On November 12th, 2020 a celebration took place to launch a quite incredible anthology of work created by young people from The Sheffield Children in Care Council, 'The Can in Can't'. There wasn't a dry eye in the house, as children and guests read poems from this very special book which was the result of a collaboration between organisations and, of course, the talents of these young people.

Some of these poems are now proudly displayed in shop windows along Pinstone Street and you can also listen to the young people read their poems, with thanks to Vicky Morris on the Hive South Yorkshire Podcast.

Scroll down to download and read a digital copy of this remarkable collection of poems. But first we welcome a few guests to introduce the book:

"It is with absolute pride that I would like to introduce ‘The Can in Can’t’. Who knew that when Sheffield Year of Reading offered to run a few writing workshops, that the project would end up running in such extraordinary circumstances. Undeterred by a global pandemic, our wonderful young people from Sheffield Children in Care Council and Care Leavers Union, worked virtually with Sheffield Year of Reading Writer in Residence, Nik Perring and spoken word artist Dom Heslop, to create this amazing anthology of writing. The poems and writings express in ways we can understand what it's like to be in another individuals' shoes, a glimpse of understanding and empathy that connects people and hearts is so needed and important in times like these. 

This partnership not only cements Sheffield Libraries as a corporate parent but also shows how important libraries can be in people’s lives. They not only offer a plethora of reading materials, but offer a space to escape and get lost, allowing creative thoughts to flow and demonstrating that with the help of Sheffield Year of Reading, Sheffield Libraries huge digital presence is just as important, spearheading the way forward for new ways of working!"

Carly Speechley

Director of Children & Families

"The poems and writings convey a depth of experience of what it's like to be in care, its the young people's view on their lives, open, proud and real. A great piece of art needed by us all at this time to remind us of our humanity."

Nick Partridge

Head of Sheffield Libraries, Archives and Information Service

"Honestly. jumping onto Zoom with those amazing and inspirational humans was the highlight of lockdown. Not only did we write some incredible pieces of work, I got to know some incredible people."

Nik Perring
Sheffield Libraries Writer in Residence

So the long and short of it is, if you only read one book in 2020, read this one! 

Click the picture to download The Can in Can't (PDF).

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