Veena Storm V

Veena Storm V will be bringing the vibrant energy of Bollywood to the stage in an unforgettable dance performance!
Later, Veena will join us for a heartfelt discussion on coping with grief, sharing her unique insights and journey. Don’t miss this powerful mix of movement and meaningful conversation as we come together to explore healing and resilience.

Dancer, Choreographer, Teacher, Veena, will open the event with a performance of her Bollywood Dancing. She will talk about her philosophy around grief and mental health. She lost two close family members recently, including her husband suddenly who was in his prime and uses dance and movement to deal with her grief. Through dance and movement she also supports and empowers women, especially older women, ensuring they allow themselves to deal with their emotions and mental health through dance and movement.

FALLING UPWARDS

Director Maria McAteer suffered from Depersonalisation Derealisation Disorder as a child and commented: “ D.D.D. is such a rare mental health condition, I felt it import to share my experience in this film, in the hope that others suffering may realise they are not alone. Also I hope the film helps to educate others who may have friends or relatives dealing with D. D. D. Especially parents as it's something that usually starts in adolescent years.”

Sacha Wood

Sacha Wood is an English-Irish singer-songwriter and freelance musician. Her songs often deal with mental health, using playful lyrics and nostalgic music to evoke experiences of depression and dissociation. Her latest album, Catharsis, centres on the healing power of music as a space for vulnerability, connection and transformation, and she is delighted that some of these songs get to play a part in the conversation at SHOUT London. Sacha is also a volunteer with Unreal UK, a charity for those living with DPDR (Depersonalisation and Derealisation Disorder).

MARIA MCATEER & SACHA WOOD

SACHA WOOD & NEIL AVERY

Sydney Conteh

Sydney is the founder of Thando Writing.

Thando writing is a writing organisation that strives to increase participation in literature, founded by the poet and author Sydney Conteh.

The main goal for Thando Writing is to inspire a love for writing, whenever that may be poetry, short stories and more; Thando Writing aspires to introduce more people into the publishing world, as everyone has a message and the voice of those people should be listened and be expressed freely.

Thando Writing works closely with schools and other organisations from all around the world to directly run workshops (online and in person).

Private workshops are also available.

I have a deep knowledge of youth work and my goal as a writer is to inspire the next generation of writers, with your help I believe I can achieve this big goal.

To learn more about my work see my portfolio below.

Portfolio: https://linktr.ee/thandowritting

Marigold Lately

Marigold Lately was born in the late Autumn of 2022 after a gestation period of more than 50 years. Since her birth she has performed at over 100 comedy and spoken word events throughout the UK.

Sharing sometimes sorrowful, sometimes snarling tales and often surreal, comic commentary from someone ‘stuck on a pin’, wriggling, who is willing to share it.

Marigold is viciously gentle – straddling genres but never sitting on the fence.

She recently made her stage debut in her one-woman sell-out show 'Dirty Old Town' in November 23 at the Hope Street Theatre, Liverpool.

Kitty Churchfield

Expect blends of UK pop, soul, spoken word and r&b with a modern cabaret twist. Trained with the help of Central Saint Martins, Lisa Lashes School of Music, WAC arts, and London's Warehouse Scene, Kitty's songs come from real-life experiences with mental health, London living, feminine rage and toxic relationships in the hopes of healing from the past and reaching out to those with similar experiences.

Dia Tuncer

Poet, playwright & blogger, Dia Tuncer will read her poetry. Dia has published her first collection of poetry; From My Father’s Noose and is currently working on the publication of the second collection, She is simultaneously working on bringing her first play, Wood Green to life, whilst working on converting her blog, Dia’log, to a podcast.

Becky!

Becky is queer and neurodivergent, and writes and performs songs and discussions surrounding this in her set. She is also physically disabled (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome) and has performed songs/spoken word pieces about her battle with anorexia.

KNUCK KNUCKLE

Frank McCarthy, a music and visual artist who is also a Traveller, came up with the idea of Paint Punch, a technique that allows participants punch paint onto boards to create art work. The process is hugely popular with young boys in particular and features in the film Knuck & Knuckle.
While Paint Punch features as part of the backdrop, the film tells the story of Lee Reeves, internationally acclaimed boxer, from one of Limerick’s socio-economically deprived areas. Lee’s story resonates with many young males, particularly those struggling with grief and associated mental health issues. Directed by Ellie Marron & Sean Horgan

THE EDGE OF CHAOS

A functioning alcoholic attempts to blackmail her well respected and wealthy Father Derek over his corrupt business dealings but things don’t go to plan. In an attempt to keep control over his family and save himself, ​Patriarch Derek constructs a calculated intervention for Carrie, bringing the whole family together for the first time in years.​ The film won Best Drama Award at tge British Independent Film Awards, Bristol and the Best Acting in a Female Role Award at The Richard Harris International Film Festival.

Aleksandra Nikolajev Jones

Aleksandra Nikolajev Jones is a performer, choreographer and producer originally from Serbia but now based in Wales. Her project “Lullaby for Mother” is supported by Arts Council Wales, JOMEC, SPARCS, YMa and PONTIO.
Aleksandra is founder of Gravida Collective arts development agency enabling mother artists to continue to live creative lives.

Join us to explore selection of dance pieces from Lullaby for Mother followed by a Q&A.

Choreography: Aleksandra Nikolajev Jones
Dramaturgy: Jelena Vuksanovic
Music: Dan Swain

Black People Don't Get Depressed

Black People Don’t Get Depressed A poetic exploration of mental health issues among creatives in communities on the African continent and in the diaspora, exploring myths, stigma and solutions through the personal stories of the characters

Unspoken

Acclaimed Irish filmmaker, Alan Bradley, takes a first hand look at eating disorders in Irish men, and examines the failures in the public healthcare system in dealing with the issue.

Emily Bell

Emily is a singer songwriter and self-taught guitarist, who has explored themes of mental health in her work. She is classically trained on the violin under Dennis Simons, and now plays her own string arrangements of songs by artists such as Joni Mitchell on her YouTube Channel @Emily_Bell