Creative Writing to aid recovery
This is the second workshop led by poet and survivor Richard Green. Drawing on his own experiences of recovery, Richard highlights how creativity can support healing and play a vital role in the recovery journey.
These workshops are designed to be fully inclusive, offering participants the freedom to engage at a level that feels right for them. Survivors are welcome to share as much, or as little, as they feel comfortable with. There is absolutely no pressure, and no judgement takes place here.
The focus is on bringing survivors together in a non-judgemental space where they can learn new skills, connect with others who have had similar experiences, and help reduce feelings of isolation.
These workshops also aim to build communities within communities, creating safe spaces where people feel seen, heard, and supported. Sometimes, that support comes simply through presence: a friendly face, a listening ear, or a shared moment.
This voice may emerge through creativity, conversation, or a combination of both. The intention is always to be gentle, never intrusive, and to respect each participant’s pace and boundaries.
One of the exercises was to choose a provided object and describe its use and texture. This could be imagined and generally was. A great way to ground and start to feel and think freely. Also a great way to create conversation, discuss creative ideas and imaginations. Part of the exercise also involved free writing, a process of letting thoughts flow freely without constraints or structure . As with all the exercises this was open to share fully, in part or not at all. It was amazing how survivors responded to the the task and created narratives that were interesting, creative and apt.
Pinecone:
Mailable & yielding
having sown it’s seeds of
possibilities
A thing of nature and beauty
Perfect in it’s imperfection
Now a husk, having served it’s
purpose
Ready to return to it’s beginnings.
Written by a survivor during the workshop.
