Lapidus Board & Team Members

Meet the Board & Team behind Lapidus International, The Writing for Wellbeing Community.

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Board Members

Mel Perry

Mel Perry

Co-chair

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.

Lucy is a person with shoulder-length blonde hair. She is wearing a bright pink jumper and a pale blue scarf. She is looking at the camera and smiling.

Lucy Windridge-Floris

Co-chair

Lucy is a dedicated advocate for using creative writing as a tool for wellbeing and social change. As co-chair of Lapidus International, she helps foster therapeutic writing communities globally, promoting the healing power of words. With over 30 years of experience, Lucy is currently a Senior Lecturer and Programme Director for the BA (Hons) English and Creative Writing at Cardiff Metropolitan University.

In addition to her academic work, Lucy is a qualified Creative Arts Therapist, specializing in Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes, Dramatherapy, and Trauma Reduction Counselling. Her diverse career has spanned roles in the NHS, schools, and private practice, always with a focus on creative expression and mental health. Lucy’s PhD dissertation, Within The Folds, explores how biomedical science is reshaping ideas of parenting, and her research extends to complex social issues like Islamophobia, using writing as a means to process trauma. Warm and approachable, Lucy is deeply committed to the transformative potential of writing for personal and social healing.

Rick Wilson

Treasurer

Rick is a freelance consultant specialising in business management and development. Having been trained in Accountancy initially, Rick has always used the insights and disciplines learned there to understand and improve business performance across a wide range of industries. Combining these functions with a love of creativity and supporting others was what attracted him to Lapidus International. Rick’s interests include reading and writing, watching most sports but particularly rugby union and American football and, of course, socialising.

Dr Buki Akilapa

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.

Gareth Bartlett

Gareth Bartlett

Gareth is an integrative counsellor based in Chipping Norton and working in private practice as well as with NHS Talking Therapies in Birmingham. He has worked in the NHS, both in emergency roles and mental health, for over 20 years and regularly draws on these experiences to prompt his creative writing. He specialises in working with chronic illness and neurodivergence, the latter of which he has a personal experience of, and he has a specific interest in developing his practice in working with this group of people. He is currently completing the third year of the MSc in Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes at Metanoia Institute, which is where he first heard about the work of Lapidus International. He is grateful to have been asked to join the board of directors and for the opportunity to help develop the use of CWTP in the therapeutic world.

As well as writing, his interests include photography, music, country walks and drinking coffee in motorway service stations. Creative influences include Neil Gaiman, Spike Milligan and the Muppets.

Alison Cable

Alison Cable

Co-editor of Lapidus Magazine

Alison Cable (BA, MA English Literature; MSc candidate in Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes) is a creative writing and reading facilitator at London Literary Salon. She was a university lecturer in the US before moving to London, where she has volunteered as a primary school librarian, written a novel for young adults, and taken a certificate in Counselling Skills. She volunteers as a group leader for The Reader Organisation and co-edits Lapidus Magazine. Reading and writing are a mainstay of her life.

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.

Kate Poll

Kate Poll

Co-editor of Lapidus Magazine

Kate Poll (she/her) is a creative writing for wellbeing facilitator and research consultant. During her varied career, whether working in a school, advertising agency, political or community organisation, reading and writing have remained a primary comfort, inspiration, and tool for wellbeing. She holds a BA Hons in English, a Pg Dip in Creative Advertising and is a MSc candidate in Creative Writing for Therapeutic Purposes at the Metanoia Institute. Aside from reading, Kate’s interests include kayaking up and down the Thames, rambling through Richmond Park with her greyhound and spaniel, baking bread and vegan treats, and playing anagrams, card and board games with her family. You can learn more about Kate and her work at www.katepoll.co.uk or on social media, Instagram: @the_writing_path and X: @Writing_Path.

Staff Members

Claire has long blonde hair and is smiling gently at the camera. She is wearing a dark red top in front of a light grey background.

Claire Greville

Lead Coordinator / Communications & Events Coordinator

Claire is a freelance communications and events professional. After sixteen years in the Higher Education sector, including ten years as a line manager at the University of Bristol, Claire started working with small charities and social enterprises in 2016. Experienced in all aspects of digital marketing and events management, she is passionate about helping not-for-profit organisations tell their stories. Since moving into the charity sector, Claire has worked primarily with organisations which support mental health, and she has developed an interest in trauma-informed creative practice. Claire manages the staff team at Lapidus, as well as organising the events programme. You can contact Claire on info@lapidus.org.uk.

Jason Glover

Groups Coordinator

Jason has spent his career in HE education. He taught Art History and Philosophy before moving into University Partnerships. Jason worked at the interface between UWIC (now Cardiff Met.) and local, national and international partners. He then moved on to work at the London School of Commerce as Registrar where he managed a team of administrators and worked with students from 5 continents before working as an independent inspector of HE provision. He has two children, Nye (26) and Billy (21) and is a keen “hobby” poet.

Jason is able to help with queries regarding our regional groups. You can contact Jason on groups@lapidus.org.uk.

Flo is a white person with mid-length brown hair and glasses. They are wearing a black shirt patterned with colourful flowers, and standing in front of some white bookshelves filled with books. They are looking at the camera and slightly smiling.

Flo Reynolds

Membership Coordinator

Flo is a writer and arts professional based in Norwich, UK. Their decade of experience in the arts and culture sector includes project management, communications and event management roles, including six years as a programmer and producer at National Centre for Writing. An experienced facilitator, event host and workshop leader for adults and young people, Flo is passionate about building inclusive, equitable communities through creativity. You can connect with Flo and find out more about their writing on LinkedIn or via their website.

Flo is able to help with all queries regarding membership of Lapidus. You can contact Flo on membership@lapidus.org.uk.

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Jade Strain

Website & Social Media Coordinator

Jade is a copywriter and marketing strategist based in South Yorkshire. Over the last 14 years, she has worked in a range of sectors with a keen focus on supporting the arts, particularly theatre and live performance. Within Lapidus, Jade looks after our social media accounts and website, ensuring we are updating our audience with everything we have going on. You can reach out to Jade on LinkedIn or pop an email over to outreach@lapidus.org.uk.

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