Sharena Lee Satti is a poet, mentor, and festival curator with over ten years of experience working across schools, community organisations, and cultural programmes. She has supported thousands of students and adults through creative mentoring, poetry workshops, and personal development sessions.
Here she shares her journey…
For the Voices still finding here’s…
How poetry found me
Poetry wasn’t a skill that was taught in a classroom; it was a feeling that came from within. Ignited like a superhero that helped me navigate through my childhood experiences. I believe poetry is something that exists in us all. It lives and breathes in everyday life; life is poetry, you just need to look up at the sky to see that. I found myself writing a lot as a young person; it became a cathartic tool for expressing my often unresolved and overwhelming feelings at that stage in my younger life. Writing poetry gave me a safe place to process my feelings, even if I didn’t understand them; they had a place on the page, somewhere I could park my emotions.
Here is a snippet of Sharena’s Poem – to read the full piece – http://Poems | Sharena Lee Satti
The Power of You
If we don’t use our voices who will
We have to be the noise of the movement, not the silence of the still
Your voice is a powerful tool, it can be the spark of change
Your vocal cords can IGNITE hope in someone’s day
To feel heard, to feel seen, to know they are not alone
The Journey of a Poet
Poetry gave me life, from leaving school at such a young age, my future felt like a storm, but I always had hope that I would eventually see the rainbow, and it took many sunsets but I eventually did.Through the journey of poetry I kept on writing, I really loved to write, my poems were messy, scribbles on the page, spelling mistakes but they were my words, my footprint in time, my feelings. Poetry helped shape my journey in ways I could have never imagined, but I believed my life was worth so much more, and I trusted in a path I believed in but couldn’t see.
Mentoring and Sharing Poetry
My journey with poetry has been anything but traditional. Leaving school at 12–13 with no formal education, I relied solely on lived experiences to shape my voice. Those experiences became the foundation for everything I do today, from teaching poetry to PhD students to performing at festivals across the UK and much more.
Poetry opened doors I never imagined. I’ve worked with women in my local community, helping them develop their writing skills and confidence, and celebrated their success as they became published poets. Along the way, I’ve published two collections of my own with the Verve Poetry Press, including featured work in a children’s collection with the renowned children’s publisher Big Cat Collins. http://Poet writes about Bradford for new children’s poetry book | Bradford Telegraph and Argus
Mentoring is at the heart of my work. I’m passionate about guiding others, whether it’s supporting young people on commissioned projects or teaching poetry to thousands of students nationwide. For me, it’s not just about writing; it’s about empowering voices, building confidence, and showing that creativity can transform lives.
From grassroots workshops to academic settings, I’ve seen firsthand how poetry connects people, sparks conversations, and inspires change. Every mentoring session is an opportunity to share knowledge, nurture talent, and encourage self-expression. Watching someone discover their voice and grow as a writer is the most rewarding part of what I do.
Poetry gave me a path when I had none. Now, I’m committed to helping others find theirs.
Have a listen to the Leeds Light piece – featured in the National Poetry Centre, Sharena worked with the West Yorkshire Young Poet Laureates, to create a commissioned poetry piece which was then recorded and brought to life. You can see it here – (2) Post | LinkedIn
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