Malika Speaks is a spoken word artist who was crowned Peterborough’s Poet Laureate 2019-2022. She uses her platform to empower others and deliver messages around mental health, reflectivity and social justice. She describes writing as being her ally in navigating through her mental health struggles and processing her life experiences, calling it a ‘safe space to express herself and dissect complex emotions’.
She is passionate about using the power of writing and expression to help people grow more self-aware and improve their wellbeing and confidence. Malika is active in many projects around community cohesion, and inspiring and empowering people in being confident in who they are and knowing their value in society. Her training includes Mediation, Trauma Informed mindfulness and CBT coaching.
During her residency, Malika is further developing her project, Wisteria Wellbeing. This is an initiative which seeks to harness the power of writing on the psychology, combined with other wellness methods, to improve overall wellbeing. Writing is a proven powerful method of expression, with research demonstrating the positive effect it has on both psychological and physical health. Wisteria Wellbeing looks to support others in accessing these tools, particularly with mental illness rapidly increasing, even more so post COVID-19.
Instagram: @WisteriaWellbeing & @MalikaSpeaks
