Oldham pupil wins festive poetry competition exploring friendship

Anika and Diane Modahl are (L-R) Dominique Gobbi (Principal) and Hannah Hinchcliffe (Pastoral Lead Year 7)

An Oldham pupil has won a festive poetry competition for schools across the North West region.

Anika from Oasis Academy Oldham won first prize in the competition for her poem 'Friendship'. 

It highlights the importance of friendship as a valuable gift and was picked from over 300 entries. 
 
Anika said: "My poem was inspired by my friends. I just looked around me and thought about what they mean to me and how they have helped me - and the poem just came from there." 
 
Anika wins a £25 book voucher and was chosen by Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, alongside fellow judges, Simone Spray, Chief Executive of Mental Health Charity, 42nd Street; Simon Blake OBE, Chief Executive of Mental Health First Aid England; Professor Dame Alison Peacock, Chief Executive of The Chartered College of Teaching; and Diane Modahl, MBE, Co- founder of the Diane Modahl Sports Foundation.
 
As loneliness is more likely to affect young people today than older age groups according to ONS research, the aim of the competition was to encourage students to evaluate their own relationships, in addition to looking at how friendship may have an impact on their wellbeing. 
 
Lisa Fathers, Director of Teaching School at The Alliance for Learning, part of the Bright Futures Educational Trust, says: "Friendship is one of the most valuable relationships we have and is a vital element in helping to protect mental health. 

"Christmas can be a particularly lonely time for those that don't have lots of friends and there are many reasons why people can feel isolated, with an increasing number of younger people feeling this way.
 
"The quality of entries was once again outstanding, and we are delighted that the competition has inspired many young people to help others."
 
Simon Blake, Chief Executive of Mental Health First Aid England explained: "It's inspiring to see how deeply the students considered the impact friendship has when thinking about their own relationships and more widely how it relates to their community and mental health. Anika's poem does this and more."
 
Professor Dame Alison Peacock, Chief Executive of The Chartered College of Teaching, said: "It has been fantastic to see the enthusiasm for this initiative and the high quality of the entries.

"The winners really demonstrated a thoughtful understanding of the positive benefits of friendship and the implications when it is lacking. Congratulations to them all."
 
Diane Modahl, MBE, athlete and Co-founder of the Diane Modahl Sports Foundation, added: "I've really enjoyed getting involved with this competition and have been touched by the poems I have read.

"It has got students thinking more closely about friendship and how they can build relationships with others who may have different experiences, as well considering trying new activities together."