Doncaster businesswoman hosts global poetry conference from Cantley

Poetry in Business is a global conference which is hosted here in Doncaster - this year will be the third year for the conference which explores the benefits of poetry in business.

Kate Jenkinson grew up in Doncaster City Centre, in the Hyde Park and Thorne Road areas.

It was here that she fell in love with poetry, her grandad taught her to recite verses from a very young age.

Kate, 58, who now lives in Old Cantley is using that love of poetry to help others, specifically those in the business world.

She told us: “Poetry is so much more than funerals and weddings, I want to show people the amazing benefits that it has.

“My background is in business but it has always been poetry that has helped me through the hard times in life.”

The conference will run over two days and consist of many different sessions.

Speakers include Lush co-founder Mark Constantine and poet, editor and reviewer Rishi Dastidar.

There will be 10 poets over the course of two days, they have been sponsored by Lush.

Kate is proud that this global online event is being hosted in her home town.

She said: “Doncaster is a secret home of poetry.

“We of course had Ted Hughes and the coal mining industry brought so much rich poetry.

“I hope we can encourage more people to engage with poetry.”

Sessions at the conference include themes of neurodiversity, Aphantasia and an open mic.

The Poetry in Business Conference takes place online on 12th and 13th November and more information can be found at: www.nextstephr.co.uk/poetry-in-business-conference