Florence Duff-scott
Powerful new poetry from a young voice in crisis
The mental health unit Florence was admitted to forms part of Wonford House, which first opened its doors on 7th July 1869 as a ‘hospital for the insane’. No doubt, much has changed since then but the daunting facade of that big Victorian manor has not. The first time she saw it was in the back of an ambulance thinking what a good start to a horror movie it would make.
Her ward was Delderfield and inside its walls, behind its locked blue doors, were some of the most extraordinary people she had ever met. One of them (a fellow patient) told her a story about Vincent Van Gogh, an urban legend that tells how the artist believed that eating his yellow oil paint would help him become happier. Florence didn’t know whether the story was true, but she did know what it meant to want to change your inner state so much that you’d try anything.
This book contains the poems she started to write on the ward.
Florence Duff-Scott
Born in Italy, Florence Duff-Scott is the daughter of artist Robbie Duff-Scott and author Lisa St Aubin de Terán. Following a mental health crisis, Florence ‘found her voice’ while undergoing psychiatric treatment as an ‘informal patient’ on a mental health ward in the UK. It was on the ward that she began writing poetry as a means of coping and healing. Florence now lives in Devon with her family.
This book contains 20 poems written by Florence Duff-Scott while undergoing treatment. It also includes 17 photographs taken by Florence over this same period.
The book is being published in support of Central London Samaritans, to whom a donation of £1 will be made for every copy sold. Available for purchase on-line (Amazon, Barnes & Noble etc.), and through booksellers.
ISBN 978-1-914278-11-2. Paperback, 100pp. with 17 colour photographs. £14.95 (including a £1 donation to Central London Samaritans)
“Each poem is a unique and powerful insight into the mind of someone who has dealt with mental health challenges. The author skilfully weaves her own personal story into each piece, while leaving just enough room for the reader to make their own connections. Anybody who has struggled with their mental health will be able to connect with the emotions shared on these pages.” (Nikki, diagnosis: depression)
“This book vividly captures the experiences and turmoils of an active mind questioning the absurdity of so-called normality. Giving an inside view of the dismalness of mental institutions and society at large, perhaps coming from a place we all see in our dreams but wake up oblivious to. Anyone who has had a similar experience will identify with this and anyone who hasn’t may start to healthily question their own sanity.” (Dan, diagnosis: schizophrenia)
