HOSPITAL staff and patients are waxing lyrical about a poetry initiative.

A 'Menu of Poems' was compiled, with printed versions being distributed to patients on their lunch trays.

The venture, in celebration of National Poetry Day, was spearheaded by Airedale Hospital & Community Charity as part of its Acts of Kindness campaign.

"The campaign began in 2021with us spreading random acts of kindness across the trust to boost morale," says charity manager, Jodie Hearnshaw.

"This has evolved over the years.

"We saw the Menu of Poems as another way for us to give something back to people spending time in hospital, as well as colleagues working across our sites."

The trust's assistant librarian, Martyn Greenwood, staged poetry workshops for staff during the submission period.

He said: "This has been such a fun project to be involved with. Hopefully it will bring some joy to colleagues and patients."

Printed copies of the poems were also made available through the hospital's restaurant and cafes, and were given to families of patients staying on the intensive care and neo-natal units.

All 24 poems can be viewed online at airedalecharity.org/portfolio/menu-of-poems

For more about the Acts of Kindness campaign, or to discuss ideas, visit airedalecharity.org/portfolio/airedale-aok-our-acts-of-kindness-campaign