An Inspired gift!

I received a lovely gift last week. A printed copy of all the selected work a group I have been working with had put together into a book. The 'Monday morning creative pals' had selected their favourite poems and stories and put them all together into a compilation of their own. Its a great selection of work about identities, thoughts, memories, experiences and feelings- moving in places, hilarious in others; and it is a lovely memento of a great 6 weeks together. One thing that was especially touching about the group was how they worked together to help each other. Its been such a privilege to be a part of this and I'm thrilled to have a book of work to keep and inspire me!

Starting something

You know the butterfly effect? When you start something and don't know the effects of it long term? I was contacted this week by someone from one of my courses. They started by asking if I could do a course again and told me how much they had enjoyed it. That was lovely to hear but even better was what they said next- "I write lots now. When I worry about something or I cant think properly I write it down. Sometimes I show people but mostly it just helps me to understand what I mean myself." I was blown away to think that they saw me as the person who helped them achieve that. Its like ripples in a pool isn't it? Chuck in a pebble.

From small beginnings.....

It takes courage to write. I don't always have it either. Often I can lie awake and think about the stories I want to create or the novel I'm writing, but it is very hard at times to translate thought to print. Huge big stories are so hard to get your head around.

At times on courses I see the same fear in students that I feel, the same trepidation of expressing yourself and putting your thoughts 'out there'. The way we get around it is so simple; start small, start with something familiar, or funny, or neutral. Over the past few months we have started every session of every course with something small;  with single words, small happy memories, pictures, reading brief poems or passages and with discussions and out of every single session has come an opportunity for every person to express something important to them. I had great teachers myself who showed me this- its a pleasure to pass it on.

The one informs the other...

I have two roles. In my 'day job' I manage services for people with learning disabilities- in my other 'job' I teach creative writing. They are not mutually exclusive; thankfully each one informs the other. This week in one creative writing group R wrote a poem about how it feels when she has a new, unknown, member of staff to work with her. She spoke of her embarrassment, fear, feeling daunted. She wrote it so clearly and beautifully. She has reminded me that I have a responsibility when new staff start, not only to see into all that they need in terms of training, induction etc... but most importantly, in amongst all the criteria we have to meet daily in the world of social care, to make sure that the people we support first get to know those supporting them. This is what creative writing achieves when you open up the opportunity for self advocacy; improvements. We just have to listen...

Self Advocacy

Its odd that it never struck me before really; the power of creative writing to open up and encourage self advocacy. I use it myself all the time both in my practical day to day writing and my own creative writing. Someone asked me the other day what people with learning disabilities gain from creative writing courses; I answered 'the same as anyone else'; self expression, self belief, gaining confidence, the ability to articulate, (with assistance if necessary) the things that bother you or that you want to celebrate.

Recently in one workshop J wrote about a happy memory. Her memory was about being found when she had got lost. Staff who has worked with her for many years knew nothing about that experience. It was important to her and she hadn't been able to express it before. That's what I mean when I talk about creative writing and self advocacy. Creative writing offers a medium that people have often never had before to express a particular thing and be listened to. That's true whether you have a learning disability or whether you don't.

I dont know what an imagination is, but I havent got one!

"I dont know what an imagination is," said M to me yesterday during a creative writing course she has been joining for the last 3 weeks. "but I havent got one."

Actually M has a brilliant imagination and has written several poems and stories both individually and as part of a group, culminating this week with a brilliant tale of a city girl who learns to fly; magic cardigans will do that you see, and will also keep you warm. The story ends with the very practical statement from our heroine; "A bit of flying will do me the world of good."

A bit of imagination, expression and indeed 'flying' does us all the world of good. In every session I facilitate I am completely blown away by the mix of practicallity and wild imagination people use to engage in the process. So its time to let your own imagination fly...even if you think you havent got one!

 

It is my great privilege to be able to teach creative writing to people with learning disabilities. Having worked with them for over 18 years I still learn a great deal from the people that I teach in every session. Creative writing can be both an individual and a group activity and it is available to anyone with basic writing or verbal skills. I have found that it is a great way to help people to understand and structure their thoughts, explore feelings and experiences and above all it develops peoples communication skills and confidence.

The activities we do can develop verbal , intellectual and imaginative skills but also can form a part of advocacy work, because creative writing is all about self expression or self advocacy. Most importantly however it allows participants to excel. There is no ‘correct’ way of creative writing; no right and wrong. Everything is right!

Creative writing allows people a sense of achievement, of being listened to. That’s really important. On my courses we have to listen to each other and respect what each other says.  Sometimes it can make you feel a bit nervous if its something you haven’t tried before; everyone feels that way. It can be worrying to read out the things that you have written, but we work together to respect peoples differences and different ways of contributing. Everyones' contribution is valuable.

As an experienced writer who has extensive experience working with people with learning disabilities and challenging behaviour in a variety of settings I am able to teach and share the skills and pleasure of creative writing to differing ability groups and individuals. I have Public liability insurance, Enhanced CRB check, POVA, First Aid and PBM Training. I have trained in Creative Writing in Health and social care and am a professional member of NAWE (National Association of Writers in Education)

I charge NAWE standard rates  of £225 per full day workshop and £125 per half day workshop.

Looking forward to hearing from you

Deb