Urban Places and Wild Spaces (Tuesdays)

In this series of reading and writing workshops, we will engage with the poetry of urban places and wild spaces: tameness and wildness, captivity and freedom, mastery and mystery, a skyscraper and an oak tree.  Because poems have a way of enduring or containing the tension of opposites – of conscious and unconscious material – without trying to resolve it, they offer moments of insight. We grow in the company of poems that encourage us to notice and tolerate this ambivalence. 

We will practise shared reading and use a blend of creative, expressive and reflective writing approaches – flow writing, poetry making, metaphor, life writing – as writing prompts. In this supportive, confidential space, you will have the opportunity to share your writing (although you will never be obliged to do so) and to reflect on others’ writing.

Writing for wellbeing is dynamic, intuitive, and spontaneous.  It is focused on process, not product, and frees the writer from their inner critic. As such, no formal experience or preparation is needed, just an open mind and a willingness to give writing a try. From beginners to published authors, participants experience newly found creativity, resilience, and self-knowledge.

A recent participant writes, “I was reflecting after the workshop and noticed how much better and how refreshed I felt. Today I should have included your sessions inside my drawing of the sun, under the heading of things that give me fire!”

STUDY DETAILS

• Four session virtual (via Zoom) Writing for Wellbeing workshops facilitated by Alison Cable
• Tuesdays, starting 1 November, 4.00-6.00pm (UK time)
• £80, including introductory notes and resources
• N.B. Please note that these workshops focus on using writing to enhance wellbeing and self-development rather than literary achievement. No prior experience is required.