Who is it for?

Anyone interested in the power of poetry and how it can be used to help with wellness.

Event details:

Poetry and workshop double-header - featuring Olivia Mulligan & Andy Craven Griffiths (with special guest, music performed by Melody Reed, MusicBox CIC).

'The power of poetry' - hosted by Olivia Mulligan

Olivia will discuss how creativity and poetry can not only help us as individuals, but it can also lift those around us. Within the talk, Olivia will share some uplifting poems.

Followed by Q&A and book signing.

Interlude - Music by Melody Reed, Musicbox CIC

'Poetry workshop for wellness' - hosted by Andy Craven-Griffiths

Join Andy for a 30-minute poetry workshop that develops your creative writing skills at the same time as practising a powerful skill for mental wellbeing: gratitude.

The workshop will include an introduction, quick and easy writing exercises, and editing tips. There will be an extra 5-10 minutes at the end for anyone who wishes to share or simply listen to others.

OLIVIA BIOG

Olivia Mulligan, or Liv as she is known, was born and bred in North Yorkshire. After spending several years in London, completing a degree in Drama and Creative Writing, and a short spell working in the city, she could no longer resist the call of the Yorkshire Dales.Liv is a keen cross country runner, a coffee barista, and now – poet. Her spoken word poem, ‘The Lockdown Chat’ was aired at the 2020 BBC Upload Festival in the Writers’ Tent. In March 2021 Liv was invited to be ‘Poet Laureate’ for a weekly slot on BBC Radio York.

ANDY BIOG

Andy Craven-Griffiths is a writer and performer based in Leeds, England. He has performed poetry across the UK and abroad and had his work broadcast (Radio 1, Radio 4, BBC 2), and published in poetry journals. He has written commissions for the BBC, Arts Council, Rethink mental Health charity and the NHS. His debut play, Joygernaut, toured nationally in 2019-2020. In 2023, Andy completed his PhD in Creative Writing at the University of Leicester. He is currently writing a poetry collection and a TV series.

As an educator, Andy has run poetry workshops at hundreds of schools across the UK and internationally. He has delivered workshops for The British Council, the NHS, Oxford University Press, Arvon, The Southbank Centre, Leeds Playhouse, and Bradford 2025 amongst others, and published a chapter on teaching rhyme in Making Poetry Happen (Bloomsbury, 2015). He currently teaches at Leeds Arts University and in various schools.

MELODY BIOG

Melody Reed – Singer, Songwriter & Community Music Leader

Melody Reed is a professional singer and songwriter with over 20 years of experience in the music industry. She has performed alongside acclaimed artists including Groove Armada, PP Arnold, and Olly Murs, known for her powerful vocals and emotionally resonant songwriting.

She is the founder of Music Box – Inspiring Voices CIC, a social enterprise dedicated to supporting children and adults from all walks of life to build confidence, unlock their creative potential, and boost wellbeing through singing and performance.

Melody also leads CUT MUSIC, a hard-hitting music and rap programme designed to challenge youth violence and knife crime. Through creative workshops, she helps young people express themselves, develop communication skills, and find safer, more positive paths.

As a Community Leader for the West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Partnership, Melody plays a vital role in shaping local responses to serious youth violence, using her experience and passion to inspire real change.

A fierce advocate for mental health and suicide prevention, she has written a collection of songs that bring comfort, hope, and healing to those facing life’s hardest moments. Melody believes in the power of music to connect, uplift, and transform lives.