An officer has helped a vulnerable man publish a book of his poems to help raise awareness of mental health issues.
Last year, Oliver Moran went missing and was found at his mother’s house in Fallowfield. Greater Manchester Police officer PC Paul Davies and another officer arrived to collect Oliver and take him back to his care home.
On the way back to Brierley Court, Moston, Oliver, who suffers from mental health problems, broke the silence in the van by reciting dozens of poems that he had written himself.
Budding author PC Paul Davies, who has published four novels of his own, was so impressed by what he heard that he encouraged Oliver to collate his poems into a book to help other people suffering with mental health issues.
Staff at the care home were fully behind the idea, believing it would help to give Oliver something to focus on and helped him bring his poems together.
PC Davies said: “Telling him we liked his poems was like lighting the blue touch paper as he then exploded into a dozen more from his repertoire.
“When we got Oliver home, he was still going strong and was clearly proud of his verses.When I told him we wanted to publish his poems to help raise awareness of mental health, it was like he’d won the lottery. When you encounter people like Oliver, you realise that policing isn’t just about fighting crime but actively helping people in the community too. The excitement and pride it has given Oliver makes it worth it.”
So taken aback was Oliver with the encouragement he received, in his book he wrote:
“I never thought that I would be putting my personal thanks in a book that I have actually written, as things like this don’t normally happen to people like me.
“I would like to thank all my family and friends, the members of staff at Brierley Court for all their support, Greater Manchester Police for their close involvement and empathy, PC Paul Davies for his belief in my work and his effort with my dream…”
‘Out of my mind. The muses of an unlikely poet’ is available now from www.amazon.co.uk and www.padavies.co.uk priced at £5.99.
At least £1 from every sale will go to MIND, a charity dedicated to supporting those suffering with mental health issues, with any extra profit going to Oliver.
