Lapidus International is the writing for wellbeing association, aspiring to be a catalyst for generating well-being through words. It aspires to be an influential voice in developing and promoting effective and innovative practices on a global scale.
A core strategy to achieve this is through policy level intervention and promoting projects, where the aim is to:
Click on the button below to read our policies:
Over the last 20 years, Lapidus International has been part of importance conversations at governmental level. These have included contributions to:
If you are a professional wanting to get involved and influence wider policy interventions, please become a member and contribute to our consultations.
If you are an arts organisation wanting to get involved and influence wider policy interventions, please get in contact with us.
Lapidus International has developed, facilitated, or collaborated on a variety of projects utilising writing for well-being practices. A selection of examples are provided below. If you are a professional wanting to get involved or collaborate in new projects please become a member and get in touch.
If you are an arts organisation wanting to develop or collaborate on new projects, please get in contact with us.
Creative Practices for Wellbeing - Practice Guidance Report (TS Eliot Foundation, 2019)
Using creativity for wellbeing has grown significantly over the years and is now becoming commonplace in many different contexts and settings, such as classrooms, workplaces, hospitals, hospices, community spaces, festivals, and even government. Evidence for the use of creative practices such as poetry, storytelling, or biographical writing to support recovery or promote personal development is long established and is growing, and demonstrates an incredible power and potential. Amidst this setting, and with the support of TS Eliot Foundation, The Old Possum’s Practical Trust, and the University of Chester, this guidance was developed to support practitioners in delivering effective and safe practice.
Wellbeing Gifts (Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development, 2017)
This project aimed to raise awareness of well-being through the innovative use of poems. This project was facilitated by Lapidus International and funded by the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development. All Lapidus members were invited to tender to run pilot projects.
Nurturing the Spirit of Ubuntu at Work (HEFCE, 2017)
This project aimed to generate a sense of collective well-being in the context of complex professional settings. This project was funded by the Quality Research Grant Scheme at the University of Chester (via the Higher Education Funding Council).
The Resilient Manager (HEFCE, 2015)
This project examined the stories of managers in order to find helpful strategies to support well-being and specifically resources for resilience. This project was funded by a Learning & Teaching Grant Scheme at the University of Chester (via the Higher Education Funding Council).
Spreading the Word (Arts Council England, 2009 onwards)
This project was organised by Lapidus International and funded by Arts Council England. All Lapidus members were invited to tender to run pilot projects. The eight projects selected were:
Lapidus Poetry & Mental Health project (Wellcome Trust, 2007)
In 2007, Lapidus International collaborated in a project aimed at raising awareness of mental health and emotional intelligence issues amongst teenagers. The Poetry Society Education Department advised on best practice and the project was coordinated by Graham Henderson, Chief Executive, Poet in the City
A programme of 22 days of schools' placements was delivered by Lapidus, Samaritans and The Poetry Society in schools around the UK from January 2007. Cheryl Moskowitz, who delivered and evaluated the programme for Lapidus, produced sample teaching notes and stimulus poems as models for the poets/educators taking part in the programme.
The poetry placements form an integral part of the national programme of placements being run by the Samaritans' Developing Emotional Awareness and Learning (DEAL) programme Samaritans DEAL
As part of the project, a poetry event was organised by Poet in the City at the Royal College of Psychiatrists on 11 April 2006, at which Professor Femi Oyebode, senior psychiatrist and poet, gave a talk and there were readings by actors Ruth Rosen and Peter Forbes. The event was recorded by the British Library Sound Archive and is available for study and use. Poet in the City produced audio downloads for use on its website.