CHAIRS

Talking chairs

I recently bought the second hand chairs pictured above. The online description was written for writers and it was impossible not to buy them! It said that the chairs were made in the 1960’s and were in a Community Centre in Wales – therefore they were sure to have lots of  stories to tell! So, of course – since their arrival, I have been imagining who has sat in them over the years and the conversations & occasions that they have witnessed. It feels great to be a part of their history and to build on these stories…

The chairs started me thinking about Community & about all of the different communities I encounter in my work. I go into existing communities and also create new ones, which feels wonderful. Here is a quote from a participant who attended the block of three October Workshops, which ended last week. The group are going to continue meeting up to write;

I just wanted to express my huge thanks to you, it was wonderful for me to attend the course. Particularly at this time of great uncertainty with regards to my health. Creative Writes provided me a place to escape from…which allowed me to centre myself and a magical journey of writing began. You held and nurtured the group well. And a new community began. Well done and thank you. 

I remembered one day a couple of weeks ago, which began with a Read Aloud poetry workshop in a C&C Care Home where some of the residents have dementia, followed by creative writing with two primary school children and ended with a Creative Writes workshop for a group of adults from across London. I treasured being accepted into these different worlds and enjoyed playing my part. 

Try this! 
Think about all of the communities that you are and have been a part of and also the role that you have played. Think about the people that you encountered and why their memory has stayed with you. Try setting the clock for 10 mins and starting with ‘I remember’ – see where this leads you. You are welcome to post your writing on this blog.

Creative Writes update…

It was the first Creative Writes Themed Workshop of the season this week – ‘Colour as Writing Inspiration’ & here are some comments from the group. It was a pleasure to run the workshop: