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Helen Boden

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Contact: [email protected]
Local authority: Edinburgh City
Languages: English
Helen Boden's headshot

I am a poet and educator, based on the edge of Edinburgh. A former University Lecturer in English and Scottish Literature, I have worked as an independent literature professional since 2003, running creative writing courses, workshops and groups, and providing private mentoring, editorial and reading services.
 
I hold certificates in Counselling Skills and in Mindfulness, and am a professional member of the National Association of Writers in Education. I am widely published in poetry magazines and anthologies, and author of critical articles on 18th and 19th century poetry, women's writing, autobiography, travel writing, contemporary Scottish literature and culture.
My first poetry collection, A Landscape to Figure In, was published by Red Squirrel Press in 2021.
 
I regularly feature at invited poetry readings and open mics, and festivals and conferences. I have extensive experience of designing and delivering creative writing activities across a wide range of educational, cultural, community, healthcare and environmental settings, including with school and college students, reading groups, carers, health service providers and users, minority ethnic groups and refugees.
 
My particular interests are:
 
•       Writing for wellbeing
•       Writing and visual arts
•       Placeful writing, writing outdoors, writing and active travel
•       Collaborative poetry: creating collective work with groups

Local authorities will visit

Aberdeen City; Aberdeenshire; Angus; Argyll and Bute; Clackmannanshire; Dumfries and Galloway; Dundee; East Ayrshire; East Dunbartonshire; East Lothian; East Renfrewshire; Edinburgh City; Falkirk; Fife; Glasgow City; Highland; Inverclyde; Midlothian; Moray; Na h-Eileanan Siar (Western Isles); North Ayrshire; North Lanarkshire; Orkney Islands; Perth and Kinross; Renfrewshire; Scottish Borders; Shetland; South Ayrshire; South Lanarkshire; Stirling; West Dunbartonshire; West Lothian

Events will deliver

Bibliotherapy; Mentoring; Panel event; Reading; Residency; Talk; Workshop; Professional development, CLPL or CPD; Chairing events

Audience will work with

Adult learners; Carers; English as an additional language (EAL); Intergenerational learning; Outdoor learning; Adults with additional support needs; People experiencing mental health problems; People living with dementia; Vulnerable adults; Vulnerable older people; Young people in the community (e.g. Youth clubs, Guides, Scouts)

Topics of work

Activism & protest; Adventure; Ageing; Biography & memoir; Care experience; Childhood; Class & society; Coasts, seas & oceans; Death, grief & bereavement; Discrimination & prejudice; Editing & editing your own work; Food; Friendship; Gender equality; Health including mental health & wellbeing; Island communities; Loneliness & isolation; Music; Nature; Poverty; Religion & beliefs; Rural communities; Seasonal books; Travel writing; Urban communities; Violence & abuse

Age groups published for

Teens; Adults

Age groups will work with

6-8; 9-11; 12-14; 15-18; 18+

Audience size

0-10; 11-30; 31-100; 100-500; 500+