FLOURISH 5-week online transformative creative writing course for women facing change

FLOURISH 5-week online transformative creative writing course for women facing change

Join us for a journey of self-discovery and empowerment through the power of poetry. This course is designed for women navigating transitions in life and seeking to reclaim their stories and their sense of self.

No prior writing experience required - just come with pen and paper and a beginner's mind.

Let yourself flourish with us!

More about the course.

We are here, we have survived. But is that enough?

Join us as we set out on a creative and reflective ‘journey’ to the self and to new stories.

Participant numbers will be limited to 12.

For women’s lives, change is so prevalent. Many of these things are common experiences: hormonal change, changes in independence and dependence,, loss, grief, isolation, empty nests, divorce, retirement, loss of income – to name but a few.

How can we navigate our journey using our own gifts and wisdom, rather than using the familiar demands and expectations of the ‘hero’s journey’, made popular through myth, fairy tale and film?

How might we find and claim new stories of fulfilment and self-expression through challenging times, which might feel more authentic, and help us heal and move on?

How can we use these new stories to create different, more fulfilling, expanded, safer, more sustainable lives, for ourselves and those around us?

In this 5-week programme of 2.5-hour workshops, we will look at our stories through the lenses of the seasons and of the cycles of life. We will share readings and discussions and have plenty of time to write in response to these.

Come and share and reclaim your own story in these safe and inspirational workshops.

These sessions are for reflective and therapeutic writing, and whilst experienced writers are welcome so too are beginners, who will be able to reap equal rewards.

We will use the poetry of writers such as Mary Oliver, Denise Levertov and Alice Walker as touchstones and signposts as we travel together. And we will consider the ideas of writers who ^have done so much work in this field, such as Sharon Blackie (If Women Rose Rooted) and Maureen Murdock (The Heroine’s Journey).

You can expect gentle yet inspirational and revealing writing prompts. You can also expect conversations about love and loss, determination and resilience, being and becoming, escape and transformation, creativity and community – and self-realization.

There will be a chance to share a few lines of our own – although there is no obligation to do so.

You will gain a sense of deepened connection and curiosity – and a collection of original writing ‘stubs’ which might flourish as future writing projects or maps of your continuing journey.

If you would like to discuss any aspect of this course, please do get in touch. [email protected] / [email protected]

Fee: £200 (or a limited number of £150 concession spaces) for this 5-workshop programme

For concession tickets please apply through the Writing Well website: p>

Please

self-select, knowing that those that can afford the standard price can help others in a less fortunate position to attend the course, while at the same time supporting the facilitators to your best ability.

Programme led by Pam Winter and Kate Oldfield.

Pam Winter (BACP Snr Accred Counsellor) is a certified poetry therapist and runs a variety of personal and professional development groups using poetry therapy, expressive and reflective writing. She has a background in teaching and extensive experience as a therapist and coach. She returned to a lifelong love of poetry, journalling and the power of word for healing and change following attending a writing course on therapeutic writing with the Professional Writing Academy. Pam lives in Marsden, a small village on the edge of moorland, where she enjoys time walking and writing. For more information see her website

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Kate Oldfield runs creative writing workshops at The Writing Well. She finds her own voice in poetry and is finishing the first draft of a novel set in Scotland in WW2, based on true events.

After chosing to study art history and English under leading feminist tutors at Leeds University such as Grizelda Pollock for her BA and at the Courtauld for her Masters, she moved into the publishing industry, in which worked for over twenty years. After her third child, she adjusted her consultancy work to become a writing mentor, ghost-writer and ‘book fixer’. She is now qualified in therapeutic and reflective writing practices (Professional Writing Academy, 2020). She has been running workshops – teaching creative writing skills, writing for wellbeing and collaborative poetry sessions – since 2019. p>

What

people have said about Pam:

‘’Pam thanks again for yesterday. It felt very important and galvanising. I’m already amazed by how the process of reading and writing poetry as part of therapy enables me to go so much deeper and broader, faster (and in another way, not amazed, as this is what I had thought might happen…but hardly dared to hope!’)’’ Janet

‘’ Pam's facilitation style is much more active than I've experienced previously, but this is conscious and feels appropriate. Pam selects a range of poems for stimulus, and ensures a good chunk of each session is made up of me actually writing in the moment, as well as between sessions. Working in this way has helped me to improve the breadth, depth and clarity of my thinking, understand myself better on an emotional level, and rediscover my voice. Perhaps most unexpectedly, it’s also helped me to overcome challenges and solve problems in my role and outside of work. It puts me in mind of a kind of creative physiotherapy – consciously exercising an underused muscle to increase flexibility and strength.’’ Dom

‘’You are a highly skilled facilitator of groups and in addition to making it look effortless there is a certain magic in what you do. I have always looked forward to your workshops because I know that I am going to be inspired and uplifted. You hold the group and the process well, gently encouraging people to share without pushing people to reveal beyond their own comfort levels…Great use of materials you really know your stuff, experience and knowledge of poetry as a therapeutic tool as well as a knowledge of poetry shown in the exquisite choice of poems to work with.’’ Kathryn

What people have said about Kate:

"Kate is a clever and kind facilitator who includes everyone and keeps the pace, and can evoke and stimulate people to be their best creative selves. I love it. A doctor could prescribe it; it’s uplifting and thought-provoking." Lucy

“The Creative Connections workshops sounded like an excellent opportunity to connect with others who share a desire to release the creative spirit. They are a safe, nurturing place in which to explore and create. I haven’t been disappointed. Under the caring and positive guidance of Kate, I have started to unblock my creativity. Each session offers something new, exciting and challenging.” Linda

“There is an unfolding, a dawning of confidence, a growing enthusiasm, then a welling then a spilling of ideas and associations from the stew of all of us mixed together. Faint hearts are warmed, doubts and diffidence banished. You hold the group together, reflect us back and knit bits back into the mix. We do in fact indeed ‘blossom and flourish’ as the hymn has it. I think that’s remarkable.” Sally

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