Words can be a way to unlock our feelings. Poetry allows us to be in touch with our emotions and helps us unlock and explore our vulnerability.

You’ll Never Walk Alone is a collection of the kind of inspirational texts – mainly poems – that can accompany us, whatever we are feeling, from sorrow to delight. The texts are not just about words which can console us or comfort us – though they often do this too. Rather these are poems that allow us to enjoy a full range of emotions. The poems are organised according to the season in which they ‘belong’: we all have seasons of our minds, be they wintery and dark, or more spring-like and hopeful. Comprising 52 poems, with analysis by Rachel, You’ll Never Walk Alone introduces a poem for each week of the year plus tips on bringing poetry into your life.

This book will show you how to bring poetry into your everyday emotional reality, where it can be a new tool for wellbeing. And one that means you’ll never walk alone.

‘Like Rachel Kelly, I passionately believe in the power of poetry to reach the soul. In times of heartache and joy, this wonderful anthology will help and delight all through the year. Kelly’s brilliant introduction and explanations of each choice make this an indispensable companion, always.’
– Bel Mooney, writer, journalist and broadcaster

‘Rachel’s wonderful book offers a carefully curated and wisely annotated selection of poems designed to offer support and solace during the more heart-stopping, heartbreaking, exhilarating, joyful, and unpredictable times of our life.’
-MindHealth 360

‘Healing words for quiet evenings.’
– Culture Whisper

Reviews

Kelly's brilliant introduction and explanations of each choice make this an indispensable companion.
Bel Mooney
Sweet and soulful
Metro
Healing words for quiet evenings
Culture Whisper
This beautiful book aims to bring poetry into your everyday life.
RED
A lovely collection of inspirational poetry, designed to help you through every occasion, on good days and bad... insightful.
HELLO
A lovely book and a perfect companion for the dark days of winter.
Beauty Bible
Gentle, nurturing and thought-provoking.
HappinessHub
Uplifting poetry. A perfect present for Christmas.
Daily Mail
Divided into four seasons and emotions, Kelly sidesteps any predictably mellow fruitfulness and picks a writer's lesser-known work. There are some classics but plenty of the contemporary and translated works will be new to many. Each entry is accompanied by a pithy analysis and there's a useful biography of each poet at the back.
Country Life Magazine
In seeking solace and support, poetry is a wonderful balm, as words unlock our feelings.
Church Times
Offers companionship during our darker, but also our happy times, on the emotional rollercoaster that is life. She points out that we find comfort in the knowledge that we are not alone with our feelings, and poetry can give us a strong sense of our common humanity. She also points out that neurological research shows that poetry speaks to a part of our brains that is more primitive, maybe because poetry has a long oral tradition, therefore eliciting a more visceral reaction, which tends to be more healing to traumatic emotions.
MindHealth360
One of the 2022 books of the year
The Tablet
Poetry can be like a salve to the soul if you find just the right one to read in the right set of circumstances. This inspirational and soothing collection, organised according to the season, not only provides great comfort but acts as a friend, too, when there are times to celebrate. As the title suggests, you'll never walk alone when you have this trusty companion by your bedside.
My Weekly
A poetry book can be a gift of healing, and Rachel Kelly's anthology You'll Never Walk Alone: Poems For Life's Ups And Downs is the perfect present. A true evangelist for poetry as an aid to wellbeing, the mental health campaigner begins, 'Words can be a way to make sense of our feelings', and divides her choices into the four seasons, representing moods of sadness, hope, joy and reflection. The range is engaging, offering old favourites such as Keats and Derek Walcott as well as songs and new writers. Kelly follows each poem with a beautifully concise explanation which will be welcomed by anyone unaccustomed to reading poetry - and bring fresh delight to those who encounter familiar poems anew. The whole book is an essential companion.
Bel Mooney, Daily Mail
We've loved dipping in and out of You'll Never Walk Alone: A poem book for all life's ups and downs by bestselling author, Rachel Kelly. Really inspiring - it's like a hug in book form. If you're looking for thoughtful mother's day gifts, you won't get much better than this.
UK Mums
The fifth book of poetry by writer and mental health advocate Rachel Kelly, You'll Never Walk Alone is a beautiful, collection of poetry, covering a range of styles and topics. Bringing together poems for each moment of life, including the experience of motherhood, this collection is a beautiful addition to any bookshelf.
Happiful