This month we sat down with Poets Vic Leeson and Ameerah Ali. Both Rotherham based and a love for communities connections to words and their stories, working on FLUX’s Rotherham’s programme ‘Spread The Word’. They talk about the struggles of identifying as a poet, the pressures of publication, and when renewing car insurance solidified them becoming a creative.
Listen for free on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3DHy2vrYxsCx1PaWOdjXzD?si=f5deb466d4624ae5
Ameerah Ali bio:
I am a young creative writer based in Rotherham/Manchester, dedicated to working with a range of people in helping them find their creative voice, whether it be poetry or prose. For the past 6 years, I have worked as a creative writing workshop host and mentored young
writers with their poetry. With a BA in English and MA in Philosophy, I like to incorporate these in my writing and I’m currently working on publishing my first book of poetry.
Vic Leeson bio:
Vic Leeson is a poet, psychotherapist and activist from Rotherham, South Yorkshire working to support various communities to explore and speak their truths. Vic has performed at Leeds Lit Fest, Leeds Poetry Fest, Counter Point Arts Festival and been showcased by the UK's spoken word label, Nymph and Thugs.
She is also a Creative Writing in Therapeutic Practice Practitioner facilitating workshops that embrace the therapeutic process of writing as much as the creative product. Vic was previously a member of writers collective, Scribblers Union, is Poet-in-Residence for Counsellors Together UK, a campaign group tackling the prevalence of unpaid work within mental health professions, and a published poet with Public Sector Poetry.
Vic embraces her creativity to highlight the importance of connection and relationships in fostering and empowering change, especially in challenging the details behind the current mental health crisis.
