BBC Ouch looking for storytellers

Submissions are now open for BBC Ouch's fourth storytelling event hosted by Laura Lexx at the 2019 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

The BBC is asking disabled people and people with mental health difficulties to submit a true story about an unusual, complicated or funny encounter based on the theme 'Lost and Found'.

Successful applicants will get the chance to work with a top comedy script producer and perform on the main stage in front of an audience at the BBC's venue at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe on 5th August.

Laura Lexx says: "I took part in the show last year to share my experience of dealing with anxiety and depression. I remember standing backstage worrying that I wasn't anxious enough to be a part of a show like this... oh the ridiculousness of worrying you're not worried enough to be officially worried. Being there on the night was skin-tinglingly exciting watching people share stories that had never been public before, and the response afterwards to videos shared online was mind-blowing. Events like this really reach the audience they need and make a difference."

Philip Henry, one of last year's storytellers, says: "Being part of the BBC Ouch's event last year was an amazing experience for me, I'm so glad I took part. After the show aired on BBC Two I was contacted by people from all over the world and the feedback was 100% positive. From casual viewers who enjoyed the comedy of the story, to fellow sufferers who saw themselves in my situation and could empathise with my plight, I was overwhelmed with the messages of congratulations and support. Since then I've received funding to make a short film version of the story I told, so it's helped my career as a writer and film-maker too. I'm so glad BBC Ouch gave me the platform to raise awareness of Crohn's in such an entertaining way."

Damon Rose, Editor of BBC Ouch, comments: "This show is the highlight of our year. Our aim is to find talented disabled people and people with mental health difficulties, and ask them to share their entertaining and often funny stories about their unique experiences. We want to share these stories far and wide and where better to start than on the BBC stage at the Edinburgh Festival."

The deadline to send entries is 10am on 2nd July 2019

The BBC explains: "Get writing and send it to us by 10:00 BST on Thursday 27 June 2019, along with some information about yourself - you need to be at least 18 years old to take part. If you just want to do a summary for now, that's fine, but the people who got through last time mostly submitted full stories in their first reply."

Email your entries to ouch@bbc.co.uk