Dr. Kat Lewis is a writer, researcher, and facilitator who has spent a decade specialising in the therapeutic application of storytelling to aid trauma processing and support vulnerable communities. She is also an expert in fundraising, having secured over £100,000 in grants within a single year to support creative and social impact projects.

Undertow was founded by Dr. Kat Lewis in response to the 2020 lockdown when it became clearer than ever to her that people from all walks of life could benefit from support in their creative expression.

Starting out in advertising at Saatchi & Saatchi, Kat went on to study a BA in Journalism at City, University of London, and an MA in Creative Writing at Goldsmiths. Since 2012, she has worked independently as a Creative Writing Workshop Facilitator, leading workshops across the UK and as far as Cambodia. Kat has delivered sessions in schools, colleges, universities, offices, community centres, and church halls - as well as in kitchens, dining rooms, living rooms, on a beach, at a festival, in a yurt, a velodrome, and a greenhouse at Kew Gardens with her two-month-old son strapped to her.

Over the years, she has specialised in working with displaced people, including those who are homeless, looked-after children and care leavers, refugees, and asylum seekers. Kat has extensive experience working with young people, women and girls' groups, and managing several languages in one room. Through her workshops and while writing her PhD on how we narrate grief, Kat observed and theorised the positive impact that creative expression has on participants.