Hilda Kalap
Specialisms: Mental Health, Health & Wellbeing at home & workplace, Trauma, Body Confidence, Diversity & Inclusion, Healing through Creativity
Hilda has not only survived a childhood of domestic violence and a feeling of not belonging but has used adversity, creativity and the power of positive psychology to thrive.
Overcoming PTSD, low self-esteem and living with bipolar, Hilda’s career spans over 20 years as a communications director and humanitarian campaigner including a stint working for the Red Cross where she was involved in a global campaign to ban landmines spearheaded by Princess Diana.
Hilda is the Managing Director of Recovery Devon, a mental health community interest company.
She uses her role to champion the voice of lived experience in how mental health services are created and delivered and to reduce the stigma around mental health.
She believes prevention is key and enjoys teaching individuals and communities ways of looking after not only their mental health but their physical, emotional and spiritual health too.
She is the author of three picture books and a memoir and uses writing and other forms of creative expression as a means of self-empowerment and healing.
Hilda is also the UK Ambassador for the Empowerment through Spoken Word Poetry initiative.
She is frequently featured on podcasts, radio shows, blogs and social media.
