To mark the National Writing Day 2026, we are celebrating the success of another Latymerian who is championing writing and reading everyday: Deborah Alma, class of 1982 (1975 joiner), with her work in poetry and her thriving business 'The Poetry Pharmacy'. 

With an extensive background of working in poetry, Deborah opened the doors to the world's first walk-in Poetry Pharmacy in late 2019 in Bishops Castle, Shropshire. Visitors are able to access and discover poetry in a light-hearted way, where poetry is prescribed like medicine, allowing many to explore their horizons and discover the wonderful world of poetry. The success of the first location led to Deborah, alongside her partner James Sheard, expanding their catchment for patients, with doses of poetry now being dished out in both York and Oxford Street, London. 

Having left Latymer in 1982 after seven years at the school, Deborah soon moved to Shropshire and began transmitting her passion for poetry whilst working with people with dementia and those in hospice care. Later, she started teaching creative writing at both Keele and Worcester universities respectively, where she acted as Honorary Research fellow. In 2011, Deborah undertook the role of the 'Emergency Poet', touring the country and stationing at a variety of locations including festivals and schools, whilst serving out remedies of poetry from a vintage ambulance. 

The fundamental intention of this innovative project was to provide a gateway to poetry which was inviting rather than intimidating and allow many to be uplifted by the profound impact poetry can have. After the success of this, it was fitting that Deborah set up shop closer to home, returning to open the Poetry Pharmacy in Bishops Castle, ensuring that this now an inclusive and welcoming space for the exploration of poetry to take place. 

Alongside the Poetry Pharmacy, Deborah has also written and edited much poetry herself, with her debut collection 'Dirty Laundry' released in 2018 to significant acclaim. As well as this, she later published 'The Emergency Poet: An Anti-Stress Poetry Anthology', which is written to comfort and de-stress readers. Deborah was also the editor of the award-winning '#MeToo Poetry Anthology', as well as the Candlestick Press 'Ten Poems of Happiness'. 

Later in 2026, Deborah and her team will be at Michaelmas Fair in Bishops Castle between 3rd and 6th September, with a focus on a new 'Meanwhile Spaces' initiative, which aims at transforming empty and redundant spaces such as vacant shops, into ones where creativity can thrive. 

We would like to congratulate Deborah on her inspiring work and look forward to seeing what the next chapter for the Poetry Pharmacy holds.

Further information and products from the Poetry Pharmacy can be found on the Poetry Pharmacy website.
Deborah has edited a total of 21 books (19 books can be found at Bookshop.org UK and 2 at Fair Acre Press. 

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