Melissa believes that creativity is a superpower that we all have and that connecting with it is key to wellbeing. Building a toolkit of creativity resources has transformed her life. Writing plays a major part in it.
Melissa first did the Artist’s Way in 2016 and it was a game-changer. Before that, she couldn’t speak the words ‘I am creative’. A serial dabbler who spent many years hungover and feeling a bit lost, her life has been radically improved and creativity was key to the transformation.
A former Funeral Celebrant with a BSc in Applied Social Science (hons) and a distinction in Training Practice, Melissa has many years working in social care and has experience in designing and delivering sessions holding space across a range of settings. She also has a level 3 qualification in Counselling and a City & Guilds in Art & Design. She spent a very happy 5 years working behind the scenes at Brighton’s New Venture theatre and recently took part in her first play-reading at Teignmouth’s Ice Factory.
In 2020, she took a giant step West, moving from Brighton to Devon. Whilst stopping boozing, learning how to stand on her own two feet and to treat herself with more kindness, she started up her own business, The Academy of Wide-Hearted Living. In 2024 The Academy became a CIC, showcasing how creativity can be used to improve wellbeing. They offer courses in the workplace and retreat and workshops open to all.
When she’s not writing poems, making sculptures or knitting flamingos, she can usually be found somewhere off the beaten track, getting slightly lost in the woods or discovering new swim spots.
She’s a regular on the local poetry scene, and is currently part way through her first novel; writing a book about preparing for death and designing a toolkit to help others get connected to their creativity so they can use it to make life better 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melissa.noble.devon/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wideheartedliving/
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-noble-wide-hearted-living
Web site: www.wideheartedliving.com