About Me
Hi, I'm Michelle. Below you'll find a snapshot of who I am, what I do, and a few things I am proud to have worked on along the way.
Creative Practice, Publications & Performance
I am a published writer with a teaching degree in English, a Master’s degree in Writing, and almost twenty years’ experience in education. My creative and educational practice are closely connected, informing work that is both accessible and artistically rigorous.
I am the author of two children’s literacy books and accompanying CDs, Learn with Harvey: Reading and Writing Year 1 and Year 2. My work has also been published in the anthologies An Anatomy of Chester — from which I read at Chester Literary Festival — and Facing the Fire.
I was shortlisted for the Lynda La Plante Award, and my play A Job Well Done was performed as part of a literary festival. An extract from my current play, The Lodger, was performed at Liverpool Royal Court Studio.
After completing the Stage Write Playwright Programme, I became a member of Royal Court Liverpool’s Stage Write group, continuing to develop my practice within a professional theatre context.
Audience Engagement, Access & Professional Development
I recently worked as a Host/Guide for Liverpool Biennial, where I led guided walks and talks for diverse audiences, facilitating engaging conversations around the artworks on display. In this role, I developed my ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and accessibly, creating inclusive and welcoming spaces for public engagement.
Through my work with Liverpool Biennial, I completed a range of professional training including Dementia Friends, First Aid, Fire Safety, Public Speaking, Safeguarding, Mental Health Accessibility, De-escalation, and Audience Agency training. These experiences have strengthened my commitment to accessible practice and equipped me with the skills to support a wide range of participants
Additional Experience
I bring a breadth of experience that equips me to deliver this project to a high standard. I have previously worked with community groups on the Open City Project, including a dads and children’s group, where I focused on breaking down barriers to accessing arts opportunities in Liverpool. This work was recognised with a Community Champion Award and reflects my commitment to widening participation and creating inclusive, welcoming cultural spaces.
Through this project and my leadership on Arts Mark initiatives in schools, I developed strong skills in project management, budget oversight, and delivering structured programmes to diverse audiences. My professional background prior to teaching, including four years in office roles at Barclaycard, has given me advanced typing and audio transcription skills, enabling me to efficiently support participants in producing their work for the anthology.
In addition, I hold a qualification in Event Management and have successfully organised charity events locally. This experience ensures I can plan and deliver the writing showcase with confidence, providing a polished and accessible public platform that celebrates participant achievements and contributes to the city’s cultural life.