Lemn Sissay, the acclaimed poet reads from his powerful memoir about growing up in Britain's care system in the 70s and 80s. Today, a life without love and family begins when he moves to his first care home at the start of 1980. Yet is here where Lemn discovers that the act of writing poetry offers hope.

Lemn Sissay is an award winning writer, and was the official poet for the 2012 Olympics. He was awarded an MBE for services to literature and has worked tirelessly is supporting children in care.

My Name is Why is his courageous account of a childhood spent in a foster family and followed by six years in Britain's institutional care system during the 1970s and 1980s. Interwoven with documents from his social work file, Lemn uncovers answers to questions that he has been asking since he left care aged 17. Truths are uncovered that reveal Lemn's story to be one of triumph over adversity.

Read by Lemn Sissay and Shaun Mason.
Abridged by Julian Wilkinson
Produced by Elizabeth Allard
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