Kezzabelle Ambler, 11th Bard of Northampton – Photo Credit: Jadzia Kurak
Kezzabelle Ambler, 11th Bard of Northampton, invites mental health services to take up her Weaving Word workshops as she tours with her one-woman spoken word show. Since 2016 she has facilitated and encouraged creative freedom to patients in PIC units and acute psychiatric wards in Northamptonshire every week.
Following May Mental Health Awareness Week, spoken word poet Kezzabelle encourages mental health decision-makers nationwide to embrace Weaving Words creative expression workshops, fostering an inclusive culture within occupational therapy (OT) sessions.
By integrating her transformative workshops, individuals can freely explore emotions and experiences, harnessing the power of creative expression to embark on a healing journey in a supportive and inclusive environment. She empowers individuals in mental health crises, enabling them to find their voice, share their stories and engage in a therapeutic process of self-expression, healing and creative play with words.
Compassionate art therapy and echo-therapy works hand in hand with more traditional forms. When Kezzabelle works in different mental health wards, she always has an occupational therapist in the room so that aftercare can be delivered. She is a freelance facilitator, providing a laid-back, easy-going approach. Usually, an OT introduces her and reassures the participants that her Weaving Words workshops are confidential. Kezzablle’s mantra is “There is no wrong or right, just write.”
On Thursday, June 15, 2023, Kezzabelle brings her one-woman spoken word show, ‘Permission to Love Yourself,’ to The Playhouse Theatre in Northampton before embarking on a nationwide tour. The Playhouse holds significant sentimental value for Kezzabelle, as it was where she fearlessly stepped onto the stage to perform her poetry for the first time in 2009. Fortunately, she could only see the front row.
Now, combining her lineup of headline bookings nationwide with her upcoming show, Kezzabelle is on a mission to inspire mental health decision-makers throughout the UK. Her ultimate goal is to empower individuals to articulate their innermost thoughts, embark on a healing journey, and find solace in the power of words, written and spoken. She seeks to amplify voices through her unwavering commitment, ensuring that each person’s unique story is acknowledged and heard. In the confined walls of Mental Health wards, where visiting times are constrained, occupational art therapies emerge as a vital lifeline for countless patients seeking solace.
Kezzabelle tailors her spoken word shows to resonate with diverse audiences. Her colloquial performance poetry transcends barriers, rendering it accessible to all. By seamlessly weaving humour and relatable everyday observations into her art, Kezzabelle fosters connection and engagement with each intimate gathering, whether large or small. Embarking on her ambitious ‘Permission To Love Yourself’ tour, Kezzabelle passionately endeavours to leverage the power of creative expression, positively impacting lives nationally. This summer, Kezzabelle introduces “A Weaving Words Experience’ App inviting individuals to “watch, pause and write.”
Additionally, she wants to raise awareness of Johnny’s Happy Place CIC, where she runs weekly workshops online and in-person in Kettering’s welcoming community café, they honour the memory of Johnny Mackay, who tragically passed away on October 23, 2014.
Kezzabelle said, “I love that my workshops are received and enjoyed so much, participants keep returning, and I can see the positive changes. I’ve had a lot of praise and positive feedback from doctors, consultants, and occupational therapists since 2016 on how much it has helped patients to express, heal and play with words with some incredible improvements. For some, the pen has become a tool for life. I’ve had people contact me sometimes two years after a performance or workshop telling me how much it has helped or positively impacted their lives and got them through some difficulty. Still, I know many outcomes I will never be aware of.”
11th Bard of Northampton, Kezzabelle Ambler is a published performance poet, is driven by a profound passion for curating a secure haven where individuals can freely express themselves, heal, and engage in the playful exploration of words to share their unique narratives. Her latest book and audiobook, “Permission to Love Yourself,” stands as a resounding message for 2023, seamlessly following her previous anthology, “Permission to Speak.”
Through her spoken word performances, Kezzabelle seeks to bless, encourage, and forge connections with those she encounters, effortlessly intertwining her mesmerising artistry with Weaving Words Creative Writing Workshops, captivating audiences at festivals, art galleries, mental health wards, and retreats. Her renowned prowess in performance poetry has earned her the endearing titles of “Mistress of Mischief” and “Wordsmith Wench.”
Website: https://www.kezzabelle.co.uk/.
Event link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/permission-to-love-yourself-launch-event-tickets-626055818807.
