Dave Attree – Finding Joy in Words, Creativity, and Resilience

This week on Heroes Among Us, we welcome the brilliant Dave Attree, a man whose life has been shaped by creativity, resilience, and an unrelenting passion for storytelling and poetry. From crafting heartfelt, spontaneous poetry with The Poetry Takeaway—a mobile poetry “snack-van” that brought laughter, tears, and amazement to strangers—to raising over £1 million for Prostate Cancer UK through his words, Dave has proven time and again the power of poetry to connect and heal. His ability to turn fleeting conversations into meaningful verse has left a lasting impact on everyone he encounters. His storytelling extends beyond poetry, too. As a Funeral Celebrant, he crafts deeply personal tributes that honour lives with authenticity and warmth. During lockdown, his poetry was commissioned by the BBC Make a Difference campaign, providing comfort and reflection during uncertain times. Every week, his spoken-word segment Week in Words on BBC Sussex, Surrey & Kent reminds listeners of the power of words to inspire and uplift. But Dave’s story is also one of immense personal resilience. In 2003, he underwent life-saving open-heart surgery, and in 2023, just weeks before hosting his Alive event with Bob Harris, he survived a stroke. Yet, true to his nature, he carried on—focusing not on limitations, but on what can be achieved. His approach to life is simple but powerful: celebrate being alive, find joy in every moment, and always focus on what you can do rather than what you can’t. It’s a mindset that fuels both his creative work and his personal journey, proving that even in the face of adversity, there is always an opportunity to inspire and uplift others. We also dive into the art of writing, creativity, and the challenge of overcoming that daunting blank page. Whether it’s poetry, storytelling, or personal reflection, Dave shares his insights on pushing past self-doubt, letting creativity flow, and finding the words that truly matter. And to close out the podcast, Dave treats us to some fantastic poetry, leaving us with words that will stay with you long after the episode ends. 🎙️ Join us for an incredible conversation about poetry, creativity, overcoming adversity, and making every day count.