The Hospice of St Francis is running a creative writing workshop, led by Rowan Coleman, author of 12 published novels including the award-winning The Runaway Wife and We are all Made of Stars on Tuesday 22 March 10 – 2:30pm at its Spring Centre.
The workshop is part of the Hospice’s newly developed therapeutic art programme, Ignite, which uses art as therapy to help those living with a serious illness, or coping with treatment, to live more positively and creatively with their condition. The short workshop, which will include lunch, will help participants, which can include carers and those recently bereaved, to capture and preserve the best and happiest times on paper. Each will come away with a biography, or short story, to keep or share with others.
Hannah Cridford, one of a team of Macmillan Wellbeing and Therapeutic Coordinators, says, “It is becoming much more accepted that the arts and associated creative therapies boost the wellbeing of patients who have a life-limiting illness. Our writing workshop is specifically for those who want to explore their memories and we are hugely grateful to Rowan Coleman for giving us the benefit of her expertise to help commit them to paper.
The Ignite programme also includes the following:
Desert Island Discs on Thursday 28 April, 11 -12:30am – a workshop exploring the power of music in stimulating memories and conversation. Bring or request a favourite piece of music or a song that has meaning or significance to share memories and anecdote with others.
As part of its art programme and open to all, the Hospice hosts an Open Studio event at its Spring Centre on the first Monday afternoon of the month focusing on a different art task each month alongside a visit from a local artist which. The Hospice is also six months through its annual art bag project where anyone is invited to do a weaving project, the results of which will be displayed at Watford museum in June.
To find out more about the Hospice’s wellbeing and therapeutic programme, please call 01442 869550 to reserve a place or e: Springcentre@stfrancis.org.uk.