WoW Street Triage: The Musical awarded Coventry Health and Wellbeing Award
We're proud to share that WoW Street Triage: The Musical has won an Outstanding Contribution Award at the 2026 Coventry Health and Wellbeing Awards.
This community event and its team of volunteers brought true-life stories to the stage in two powerful performances, to show that mental health support is always available to those who need it in Coventry and Warwickshire.
The performances were an artistic interpretation of true-life stories relating to mental health, addiction, neurodiversity, loan sharks, PTSD, bereavement and suicide. It was inspired by both lived experiences in clinical practice and the wider social factors that shape mental health, with a clear message: we all have a role to play in reducing the risk of suicide.
The first musical opened to a packed crowd at Willenhall Education, Employment and Training Centre on 10 September, to mark Suicide Prevention Day, and over 2 performances 120 people attended.
Writer Dr Alexandra Cotton MBE, mental health nurse at Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust and founder of It Takes Balls to Talk, said:
I'm chuffed that the musical has received an award from Coventry City Council for increasing awareness of how social issues can influence our mental health. The musical also reflects how delivering our Trust values of compassion and integrity improves lives in the communities we live and work in. I would like to thank the cast and crew, plus everyone within this organisation who has made this happen.
Cast member, Matty Loat, told the personal story of his brother's addiction to help others realise that they are not alone and support is out there. He said:
Telling my brothers story with drug addiction and suicide was emotionally challenging but incredibly rewarding. If one person who saw the musical is going through similar trauma they now know there are services out there that can help. I couldn't save my brother, but his story could save someone else.
If you or someone you are with is in a mental health crisis and needs urgent support, call 111 and select the mental health option. Find local support.