Projects – Antonia Liguori / Participatory Storytelling

“The Uninvited Guest”: Storytelling, Lived Experience, and Public Engagement with Persistent Pain

We’re excited to announce “The Uninvited Guest,” an innovative theatre performance that brings the lived experience of persistent pain into focus. Through a vibrant blend of comedy and storytelling, the production invites audiences to reflect on the realities of chronic pain – often invisible, always impactful.

Co-created by Theatre Space North East with Flippin’ Pain, Teesside University’s research team, and community members, and supported by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Impact Acceleration Account at Teesside University, “The Uninvited Guest” exemplifies how the arts and research can come together to deepen public understanding of health. By weaving together personal stories, academic research, and creative interpretation, this performance sheds new light on the personal, social, and emotional effects of chronic pain, challenging myths and opening up space for empathy and dialogue.

World Suicide Prevention Day 2025 – Stories of Hope: Supporting Men who have survived a mental health crisis in Teesside

I am grateful to work with researchers from Teesside University who are partnering with Mens Minds Matter and Every man can CIC to create digital resources which aims to inspire hope and reduce thoughts of suicide in men. The project titled ‘Stories of hope’ uses digital storytelling methods to support men who have survived a period of mental health crisis to tell their story. The aim of the stories is to help give hope to other men who may be struggling with their mental health. In a review of published literature in the Lancet (2022), researchers from Austria found that sharing positive stories of recovery from mental health difficulties has a small but significant impact on thoughts of suicide in those who are living with these thoughts (Neidenkrotenthaler, 2022). This is called the ‘Papageno effect’ whereby the way that suicide is reported can have a positive or preventative impact on suicidal thoughts or behaviour. Best practice in this area is shared by the Samaritans Media Reporting Guidelines, and any sharing of stories on social or traditional media should consider their role in supporting suicide prevention through the way their share information: Samaritans’ Media Guidelines.

Riveting Connections: Our New Documentary Exploring Place-Making through Music

I am excited to highlight Riveting Connections: Exploring Multiple Perspectives for Place-Making Through Mike McGrother’s Musicking Practice, a powerful new documentary that shines a light on the transformative role of music in community building and cultural dialogue.

Through the lens of Mike McGrother’s innovative musicking practice, the film explores how music serves as more than just sound – it becomes a tool for creating meaningful connections, fostering inclusion, and reimagining the spaces we inhabit. This documentary invites viewers to consider how diverse perspectives can come together through creative practice to shape our shared environments.

Whether you are a community organizer, artist, educator, or simply someone passionate about music and social impact, Riveting Connections offers inspiring insights into the ways that music can enhance place-making and strengthen social bonds.

New project: Flippin’ Pain through Storytelling

On the 30th of April we are facilitating our first digital storytelling workshop for the new project Flippin’ Pain through Storytelling funded by AHRC Impact Acceleration Account (IAA), Teesside University.

What is this project doing?

Persistent pain effects 30-50% of the UK and is the biggest cause of disability. Public misconceptions about pain are common and a significant barrier to good management leading to the development and maintenance of the condition. This project is seeking to address these public misconceptions by improving public understanding through Storytelling. We will organise Digital Storytelling workshops to support the co-creation of short films in which participants will reflect on their pain journey. These films will be shared at public events and on online platforms to increase public awareness on pain management by amplifying lived and living experiences of pain.

Why is it needed?

The Flippin’ Pain campaign – a key partner of this project – is both a national and regional award-winning public health campaign, collaborating with Teesside University to improve public understanding. The campaign has reached over 100,000 people through public engagement activities, but it has struggled to engage with people from more disadvantaged communities. This project will help to address this problem the campaign has been having.

Digital Storytelling workshop for museum professionals in Paris

As a member of the Advisory Board, I will join the Digital-Spektrum project team for a workshop at the Petit Palais in Paris, on Friday 24 January from 14:00 to 17:00 CET, to explore Digital Storytelling as an inclusive approach for audience engagement.

The priority of the Digital-Spektrum project is to promote inclusion, diversity, and accessibility in all areas of education, particularly educational experiences that take place in museums. One of the main objectives of the Digital-Spektrum project is to provide museum staff with digital skills to design inclusive museum experiences with and for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).