Lapidus Board & Team Members

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 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 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.

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 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 (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.

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 (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.