The Shape of what We Carry: Metaphor-guided writing for Wellbeing (5th Edition)

As Lapidus marks its 30th anniversary, this special Summer Festival event invites us to pause, look back, and imagine what might come next.

Over the past three decades, writing for wellbeing has grown and developed in many different directions. What began as a field shaped by pioneering practitioners, writers, researchers and community projects has become an increasingly recognised approach to supporting wellbeing, connection, reflection and change.

In this interactive session, we will bring together voices from across the Lapidus community to reflect on where the field has come from, what has shaped its development, and where it might be heading next.

Through conversation, reflective writing and shared discussion, we will explore:

• What can we learn from the past 30 years of writing for wellbeing?
• How has the field evolved, and what have we discovered along the way?
• What might writing for wellbeing look like in the future?
• What possibilities, challenges and opportunities lie ahead?
• What do we want to carry forward, and what might we need to reimagine?

The session will begin with a gentle landing exercise inviting participants to reflect on their own experiences of the past. A panel conversation will then explore the development of writing for wellbeing over the last three decades, before we turn our attention towards the future.

There will be opportunities for solo writing, small-group reflection and optional sharing. Together, we will gather thoughts and hopes for the future, contributing to a shared poem that will be created during the session and read aloud as part of the event.

The event will also include an announcement about the Plumb Lines project, followed by an optional networking opportunity.

Whether you have been part of the writing for wellbeing community for many years, are discovering the field for the first time, or simply want to take some time to reflect and dream alongside others, you are very welcome.

No previous writing experience is required. You are welcome to write, reflect, listen, share, or simply be part of the conversation in whatever way feels right for you.

Join the event

Saturday 19 September
13:00–16:00

This event is FREE to Lapidus members. A Zoom link will be shared in advance of the event.

Non-members can purchase a ticket to join the event >>> 

Please note that this event will be recorded. 

For questions about the event, please contact Flo on membership@lapidus.org.uk.

Timetable

Timings are approximate. An updated timetable will be shared before the day.

• 1:00 pm, event opens, welcome and landing activity
• 1:20 pm, panel discussion
• 2:00 pm, break and solo writing time
• 2:20 pm, networking and sharing reflections
• 3:20 pm, Plumb Lines project launch, networking
• 3:45 pm, shared poem
• 4:00 pm, event closes

Please note: optional breaks can be taken during the networking sessions.

About our contributors

Peter Emelone, host

With over two decades of dedicated service in the field of education, Peter brings a wealth of knowledge, passion, and dedication to the board of Lapidus International. Previously Director of Studies and currently serving as a Consultant Lecturer for Learning and Teaching at Global Banking School, he is a passionate advocate for transformative teaching practices. As an ambassador for the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), Peter actively promoted the importance of management and leadership skills in education. He also advocated for the integration of these essential skills into the curriculum. He is a self-proclaimed pioneer of positivity, and his philosophy centres around creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to achieve their fullest potential. Peter is on a mission to change lives through education by fostering a culture of positivity, inclusivity, and continuous improvement.

Mel Perry, panel chair

Mel is Chair of Lapidus International, and a poet, spoken word performer and writing practitioner from Wales, with a background in public health, and substance misuse related training and service management. She completed her MSc CWTP in 2019 following her research project which explored the experience of women survivors of domestic abuse reading their creative writing at a spoken word poetry event. Since retiring from Public Health Wales in October 2018, Mel has dedicated her time to developing her current role. Mel is published in Nation Cymru, 2024; LIRIC Journal Vol 2 Issue 2; Spoken Word in the UK, Routledge, 2021, Write a line. Inspiration book for children & young people. Kultivera 2021, and poetry anthologies. Her third poetry collection will be a response to the life and influence of her maternal grandmother. She is passionate about helping people find their seed of creativity to promote health and wellbeing, and social activism across a range of issues.

Dr Buki Akilapa, panel contributor

Dr Buki Akilapa is Deputy Editor of the LIRIC Journal and a Lecturer in Healthcare Management at Global Banking School (GBS), UK. She holds a Doctor of Education (EdD) from Canterbury Christ Church University, is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). Buki’s research and writing interests include autoethnography, reflective writing, identity, belonging, migration, recognition, and Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes. Her recent LIRIC article, Journey of Reflection: Girlhood, Migration, Grief, and Healing Through Soul Work, explores how journalling, poetry, and compassionate rereading can support self-understanding and transformation. Drawing on both personal and professional experience, Buki is passionate about creating reflective spaces where stories can be explored, voices can be heard, and writing can become a pathway to recognition, learning, and healing.

Dr Claire Williamson, panel contributor

Dr Claire Williamson has been facilitating therapeutic writing for over twenty-five years, and was Director of Studies for the MSc in Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes at Metanoia Institute for ten years. Claire continues to provide workshops, mentoring and supervision for individuals and groups. Her doctorate explored responses to grief narratives in literature. Claire has published four poetry collections, the latest is Visiting the Minotaur (Seren). She also writes words for community opera and has worked extensively for Welsh National Opera; Bridge – celebrating the first Severn crossing is being performed this autumn in Bristol.

Dr Lucy Windridge-Floris, panel contributor

Dr Lucy Windridge-Floris is a writer, educator and creative writing practitioner with more than thirty years’ experience across education, healthcare and community settings. A former university programme director in English and Creative Writing, she holds a PhD in Creative Writing and Critical Practice and an MSc in Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes. Lucy is the founder of Writing Sense, an initiative exploring how creative writing, narrative practice and autoethnography can help us understand experiences shaped by separation and institutional life. Her work is rooted in the belief that writing for wellbeing is not only a personal or therapeutic practice but can also make visible the systems and inherited narratives that shape our lives. She is particularly interested in the discipline’s potential to foster connection, challenge dominant stories and contribute to meaningful social change: https://www.writingsense.net/ 

Georgiana Blake-Hall, poet

Georgiana Blake-Hall is a published poet, writer and educator with over four decades of teaching experience. Founder of Pause and Pen, and with an MSc in Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes, she creates gentle, inclusive spaces where writing offers a way to pause, reflect, reconnect with ourselves and find our voice.

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