Word_Play is a workshop series run by an arts writer-arts therapist duo, exploring the stories we tell with our lives.
Drawing on both therapeutic methods and artistic practice, themed sessions will bring participants together through discussion and creative exploration.
Adult life is busy, serious, with a gap often left where play used to be. Word_Play will create the space to fill it. But we can only play when we feel safe enough to try. More emphasis than ever before is placed upon wellness, self-love, and how to operate at peak performance. But what about the health of our creativity, and our feelings about which direction our life is moving in? Word_Play is a creative workshop that encourages participants to spend time with the story of their lives.
The workshop leaders were inspired by each of their practices and how their own friendship benefits from creativity. We will draw from the narrative tree of life therapy (exploring the parts of the self through the metaphor of a tree), journaling, and other creative health practices. Each session will be bookended by check-ins, an opportunity to speak to the facilitators and for group sharing. Workshops last for 2hours, with a fifteen-minute break for tea, biscuits and chit-chat.
Group discussion will open up the conversation, and individuals will be encouraged to respond creatively to the theme via a chosen method. Be that writing, art-making, whatever feels most playful. The weekly theme is a seedling, nurtured and opened up by the participants. Exploring your story is the aim; no experience is required in any of the creative methods to take part. All materials will be provided by Word_Play. If any are missing, we will endeavour to get them for the next session.
About the artists:
Matilda - art enthusiast, art therapist trainee, nature lover, with a warmth which encourages playfulness.
Imogen - arts writer, event curator, magpie for visual treasure, with a knack for creating safe sharing spaces
We are excited to bring Word_Play to St. Margaret’s because…it’s an institution where creative health matters, where we feel safe to explore, and be very serious about play.
Contact: If you have any questions regarding this session, please email programming@stmargaretshouse.org.uk
Venue: The Create Place at St Margaret’s House, 29 Old Ford Road — E2 9PJ
Access: If you have any access needs of which we should be aware, please let us know. Entry to The Create Place is step-free, but the toilet is not accessible. If you require access to an accessible toilet, please get in touch with us on 020 8980 2092 or email emily@stmargaretshouse.org.uk so we can arrange this for you.
Dates and times: Twice a month
Thursdays, 6pm-9pm
Saturdays, 10am-1pm
Tickets:
Pay Less (covers some of our costs) – I am a student, unemployed, on benefits or financially stressed - £10
Standard (covers most of our costs) – I am employed, have some expendable income, and manage to meet my basic needs - £12.5
Pay More (covers all of our costs and supports our work at SMH) – I am employed or have enough savings to comfortably meet my basic needs - £15