Lapidus Board & Team Members
Meet the Board & Team behind Lapidus International, The Writing for Wellbeing Community.
Board Members
Mel Perry
Mel is 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.
Buki Akilapa
As an accomplished educator and advocate for diversity and inclusion, Buki Akilapa brings a wealth of experience in empowering individuals and fostering inclusive environments. With a background in education and community development, Buki has demonstrated a commitment to promoting equity and social justice in various professional settings. Her passion for creating positive change is evident through her work in curriculum development, training facilitation, and mentorship programs. Buki’s dedication to uplifting marginalised voices and promoting cultural understanding reflects her empathy, integrity, and collaboration values. With a keen focus on leveraging the power of education to drive social impact, Buki continues to inspire others to embrace diversity and build inclusive communities.
Alison Cable
As a board member at Lapidus International and co-editor of Lapidus Magazine, I get to help grow and steer a wonderful, diverse network of people interested in writing for wellbeing. I love to spread the word about the incredible impact writing can have on mental health and wellbeing, both for individuals and communities. I’ve facilitated workshops at places like London Literary Salon, London Business School, and Noon. My aim is to spark curiosity and creativity and build connections. I recently completed my MSc in Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes at Metanoia Institute, with a dissertation exploring the potential of reading, weaving, and creative writing for revising one’s self-narrative during challenging life transitions.
Peter Emelone
With over two decades of dedicated service in the field of education, Peter brings a wealth of knowledge, passion, and dedication to 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.
Caroline Burnley
Caroline Burnley is a Senior Lecturer in Psychological Therapies & Mental Health, School of Health, Leeds Beckett University. Caroline has worked part-time as an operational lead in clinical practice in offender & mental health regional personality disorder services from 2006 to 2019. Caroline subsequently moved into HE in 2017, firstly as a mental health nurse educator from 2017 to 2019 at Leeds Beckett University 2019 and thereafter in a similar role at her previous institution, the University of Bradford, from 2019 to 2021. She then moved on to the Psychological Therapies and Mental Health team in the School of Health at Leeds Beckett University in 2021. Caroline’s interests are in trauma-informed practice and creative writing with mentally disordered offenders in criminal justice settings. In addition, she is currently a Professional Doctorate in Education (EdD) student at Leeds Beckett University with a focus on this theme. Caroline is an accredited Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes Practitioner (Metanoia Institute) and has her own creative writing for well-being company, ‘Creative Hearts and Minds’. Caroline’s current teaching includes BSc Counselling and Mental Health, MA Integrative Counselling, MSc Applied Mental Health Practice (DL), and Trauma Informed Practice L7 CPD module.
Associate Directors & Advisors
Dr Emma Astra
Emma Astra, a 40-something single, working-class woman from Leicester, thought life was over when chronic illness ended her career and independence. Instead, she began a PhD and earned a place on New Writing North’s ‘A Writing Chance’, supported by The Daily Mirror, shaped and deeply influenced by transformative life experiences. Emma began collaborating with Lapidus and one of the Directors, Buki Akilapa, on long-term strategic projects, particularly in equality, diversity, and inclusion. This role allows her to apply her research to serve areas beyond academia, challenging stereotypes of voluntary work. “I’m proud to be part of a community that recognises the value of diverse stories and the importance of inclusion. Lapidus has greatly enriched my writing practice. I’m optimistic about its future growth, especially in recognising the therapeutic benefits of writing and expanding access through oral storytelling and digital media.”
Staff Members
Kate Poll
Kate is a therapeutic writing practitioner. In her role as co-editor of Lapidus magazine, she is passionate in her support of fellow practitioners, championing best practices and expanding access to therapeutic writing. She works with diverse groups, including neurodivergent and mental health communities, helping people find their voice—on and off the page.
She is the creator of Compassion Journalling, the first in a series of self-therapy tools she is developing, which integrates Rogerian, Internal Family Systems, Compassion-Focused, and Narrative Therapy approaches. Through an arts-funded initiative with the University of Wolverhampton, she is exploring how creative writing can support stroke survivors and individuals with acquired brain injuries.
An MSc graduate in Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes, Kate believes in therapeutic writing’s power as a tool for self-knowledge, creativity, and deeper connection with ourselves and others. Her dissertation explored how Gottman’s Four Horsemen—a metaphor for destructive relationship communication patterns—can also manifest in our self-talk. The process highlighted the power of self-compassion in supporting self-development and resilience. www.katepoll.co.uk Instagram:@the_writing_path_
Regina Beach
Regina Beach is a disabled poet and essayist. Originally from the American midwest, she now calls the Welsh Valleys home. She is a freelance writer and editor passionate about accessibility in the arts. She is the founder of the literary magazine Lesions | Art + Words featuring the work of creators living with chronic conditions. She hosts Writers’ Hour and is the editor of the London Writers’ Salon’s Writing in Community anthology. She facilitates creativity workshops for the MS-UK charity and is the producer of the Living Well with MS podcast.
Read more of Regina’s writing at reginagbeach.com or subscribe to her newsletter at reginagbeach.substack.com.
Flo Reynolds
Flo is a writer, coach and arts professional based in Norwich, UK. They have published two books of poetry with respected small presses, with a third forthcoming in late 2025. Flo has worked for over a decade in the arts and culture sector, in roles spanning strategy, project management, communications and production, including six years as a programmer and producer at the National Centre for Writing.
As Membership & Creative Development Lead for Lapidus International, Flo supports members and helps shape opportunities for connection, learning and growth across the organisation. A qualified coach, experienced facilitator and workshop leader, they are passionate about nurturing inclusive, equitable creative communities and empowering people to explore their voices through writing. You can connect with Flo and find out more about their practice on LinkedIn or via their website.
Flo is able to help with all queries from Lapidus members and interested parties and can be contacted on membership@lapidus.org.uk.