Come and join us for a night of intrigue and curiosity around our theme and FFantasic FFeatures on March 12th at The Signal Pub Dartmouth Road (opposite Forest Hill Station) from 7pm onwards. Tickets available here: https://billetto.co.uk/e/featured-15-tickets-405678
I started writing poetry from the ages of 14... it was a form of therapy for me growing up with a lot of stuff to deal with and process. The past 5 years have been the worst... hitting rock bottom, poetry helped me find a way out.
I see your face in my darkest hour and in my brightest day,
Your love lingers like a song on replay,
Your gentle touch and warm embrace gone without a trace,
An empty feeling a blank space,
Never thinking about tomorrow as it seems pointless in so many ways,
But I see you in him showing me the way to fight and continue day by day,
You taught me love injecting it through my veins.
Ella Dove is Commissioning Editor at Good Housekeeping, Prima and Red magazines. Originally from Kent and now based in Stratford, East London.
In 2016 aged just 25, Ella became an amputee following a freak running accident.
“It's hard to describe what it feels like to be 25 and told in a hushed yet certain tone that you're going to lose your leg. To see the faces of my parents; the tears and the shock as reality sets in, to sign the yellow form assenting amputation and watch the surgeon draw a thick arrow on my skin, pointing down towards my freshly shaved calf and a foot with red toenails that I'd painted in anticipation of a first date that night.”
An accident that threatened so many aspects of Ella’s life; she was determined to find new hope amid despair. Recovery, both physically and psychologically was slow and gruelling. But gradually, her mindset and ability improved. She enabled herself to see that her prosthetic leg was something to be proud of rather than feared. Both literally and figuratively, she began to stand on her own two feet.
Just over a year after her amputation Ella, a busy journalist was back commuting four days a week to her central London office, juggling her busy social life, giving her time to the Limbless Association as a volunteer supporter willing to get stuck into a multitude of activities.
Determined to help other amputees in the same way she had experienced support during her recovery, Ella is now an ambassador for the Limbless Association, Barts Health charity and The London Prosthetic Centre, and regularly leads talks, takes part in events and speaks to patients and their loved ones about trauma.
Since losing her leg Ella has taken up challenges including wild swimming and climbed London’s O2 Arena for the Limbless Association alongside other amputees. She has also taken part in the MoonWalk London, a night-time half marathon trek in aid of breast cancer charity Walk The Walk – a feat (feet?) that proved equal parts tough and rewarding to achieve with one leg.
“It may sound strange but if I could turn back the clock to before the accident, I’m not sure if I would. What happened to me was horrible and unexpected but it’s made me see life differently. I’m determined to cherish each day and hold those who matter closer than ever. I’ve also found a new level of empathy and perspective. Life is fleeting and fragile – and I don’t want to waste a second.”
Five Steps To Happy by Ella Dove is available here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Five-Steps-Happy-uplifting-novel/dp/1409184560
Henry Scott was born in 2001 in, Auckland, New Zealand. Moving to the UK into east London a few years later. He had some difficulties learning in school due to various reasons but had very good support. He grew up with an older brother and younger sister who he owes a lot to for getting to where he is today.
Henry is currently taking A levels, economics, politics and psychology. Last year he got involved in organising the climate strikes as well as heading up film production at the UK student climate networks. Apart from doing part time videography and helping coordinate protests, Henry recently stood in the general election 2019 as an independent candidate in Leyton and Wanstead. He was the youngest candidate ever to stand in the election, turning 18, 2 days before nominations were due in to the electoral office. Receiving 427 votes he was absolutely taken away by how successful his first time campaign was.
This lead him on to present on the radio with reviveFM 94.0, London’s newest community radio station. On Tuesdays from 5-7 pm on the drive time show. Henry has an aspiration to work in politics in the future with the prospect of, in his words; “fixing the mess the country is in”. I hope you enjoy his talk on: climate change and identity.
Teenagers are underestimated and misunderstood argues author Margaret Rooke, whose latest book 'You can Change the World!' includes interviews with more than 50 inspiring young people.
Margaret has spent the last two years talking to campaigners, fundraisers and others who've resolved to make life better for their schools and communities.
She is also the author of ‘Dyslexia is my Superpower (Most of the Time)’ and ‘Creative, Successful, Dyslexic. 23 High Achievers Share Their Stories’
'You can Change the World!' won a gold award in the USA in the Moonbeam Children's Book Awards for multi cultural non-fiction. All three books are published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers and available at Waterstones, local bookshops and online.
Kimberly is 23 years old and Zimbabwean in origin. She migrated to the UK aged 9. She applied for student finance in 2015 and realised that her immigration status would be a barrier to going to university because it meant she wasn't eligible for a student loan. In the same year, Kimberly attended a Leadership Academy, which provided support and importantly awareness that she was not alone.
Through family support, Kimberly began her university studies at Canterbury Christchurch University. From her initial application to study English and Sociology, she has always been drawn towards the story of people, their lives and how they express themselves. Alongside her studies, she gained work experience as a Culturosity Facilitator, promoting youth development through creative learning of equality and diversity principles.
Kimberly began her role of Outreach Officer at We Belong in October 2019, helping other young migrants to avoid her fate and challenge the systematic barriers in the way of their future. She is dedicated to changing how our current society relates to migrants and wants sustainable justice for the fates of other young migrants like herself.
Her experience as a young migrant and yearning to listen to stories of others has led her on a path to advocate for equal rights, to empower other young people in her wider community and influence sustainable change.
Marnie started writing and producing her own music from the tender age of 15, sparking interest from BBC radio stations with her first singles and collaborations.
After exploring her love of music technology at A Level, she went straight on to work as an A&R and a social media strategist for music industry startups in 2015 before returning to university in 2018 to continue her studies. Whilst working towards her Songwriting BA, she focuses her time on the more creative aspects of her music career, learning from all of her experiences (both onstage and behind-the-scenes) along the way.