Andy Craven-Griffiths

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 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 aneducator, 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 amongstothers, and published a chapter on teaching rhyme in Making Poetry Happen (Bloomsbury, 2015). He currently teaches at Leeds Arts University and in various schools.

Wilko Wilkes

Wilko Wilkes is an alternative rapper, music producer, and workshop facilitator from Bingley, West Yorkshire. A skilled wordsmith and mental health advocate, his genre-bending music has earned plaudits for its intricate lyricism, sharp wit and raw honesty,tackling personal struggles, depression, and social issues while weaving in humour and unexpected twists. He is the recipient of the 2024 Wordplay & Flow Award for Best Male Spoken Word Artist.

Wilko has become known for his captivating live performances which are a masterclass in technical precision, and have seen him open for hip hop legends Arrested Development.

As the founder of social enterprise Rap for Good, he harnesses the power of creative writing and rap to support young people’s mental health and wellbeing. Since June 2022, Wilko has partnered with schools, educators, and community organisations to deliver inspiring workshops and community projects, reaching over 2,000 young people in diverse settings.

Kate Fox

Kate Fox is a stand-up poet, spoken word artist and broadcaster. She is a regular contributor to Radio 4’s spoken word cabaret “The Verb”, has made two comedy series for Radio 4, been Poet in Residence for the Glastonbury Festival and the Great North Run and completed a PhD in stand-up comedy.

She is the author of “Where There’s Muck There’s Bras: True Stories of the North of England’s Women” published by Harper North, and poetry collections including “On Sycamore Gap” (Harper North, 2024), “Bigger On the Inside” (Smokestack Books, 2024) and “The Oscillations” (Nine Arches Press, 2021). She is also a neurodivergent advocate whose latest show “Bigger on the Inside” explores neurodiversity through the lens of Doctor Who.