My Name Is Why

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My Name Is Why: Episode 5

Episode 5

BBC Radio 4 - My Name Is Why, Episode 5

In Lemn Sissay's memoir about growing up in care, five years in care homes takes its toll

Lemn Sissay reads from his powerful account about growing up in Britain's care system. Today, five years in care homes takes its toll, but Lemn has a plan.

The acclaimed writer Lemn Sissay reads from his powerful account about growing up in Britain's care system. Today, five years in care homes takes its toll, but Lemn has a plan for a better life.

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, Shaun Mason, Susan Jameson and Sean Baker.
Abridged by Julian Wilkinson
Produced by Elizabeth Allard

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Lemn Sissay reads from his frank and powerful memoir about growing up in care.

Book of the Week. Lemn Sissay reads from his frank and powerful memoir about growing up in care in the 70s and 80s, and the redemptive power of poetry

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