FLOURISH | Online reflective writing programme for women facing change, who want to reclaim, create and live their own story | Kate Oldfield | Thursdays 19th Sep–17th October, 7–9pm.
[NB: This course is a repeat of the sold-out summer course.]
We are here, we have survived. But is that enough?
Join us as we set out on a creative and reflective ‘journey’ to the self and to new stories.
We will use Bridge's 'Transitions' Map' as guide: from Letting Go; through Moving in Between towards Acceptance and New Beginnings.
Participant numbers will be limited to 8.
For women’s lives, change is so prevalent. Many of these things are common experiences: hormonal change, changes in independence and dependence, loss, grief, isolation, empty nests, divorce, retirement, loss of income – to name but a few.
How can we navigate our journey using our own gifts and wisdom, rather than using the familiar demands and expectations of the ‘hero’s journey’, made popular through myth, fairy tale and film?
How might we find and claim new stories of fulfilment and self-expression through challenging times, which might feel more authentic, and help us heal and move on?
How can we use these new stories to create different, more fulfilling, expanded, safer, more sustainable lives, for ourselves and those around us?
In this 5-week programme of 2-hour workshops, we will look at our stories through the lenses of the seasons and of the cycles of life. We will share readings and discussions and have plenty of time to write in response to these.
Come and share and reclaim your own story in these safe and inspirational workshops.
These sessions are for reflective and therapeutic writing, and whilst experienced writers are welcome so too are beginners, who will be able to reap equal rewards.
We will use the poetry of writers such as Mary Oliver, Denise Levertov and Alice Walker as touchstones and signposts as we travel together. And we will consider the ideas of writers who have done so much work in this field, such as Sharon Blackie (If Women Rose Rooted) and Maureen Murdock (The Heroine’s Journey).
You can expect gentle yet inspirational and revealing writing prompts. You can also expect conversations about love and loss, determination and resilience, being and becoming, escape and transformation, creativity and community – and self-realization.
There will be a chance to share a few lines of our own – although there is no obligation to do so.
You will gain a sense of deepened connection and curiosity – and a collection of original writing ‘stubs’ which might flourish as future writing projects or maps of your continuing journey.
If you would like to discuss any aspect of this course, please do get in touch. hello@kateoldfieldwrites.com
Fee: £160 (or a limited number of £120 concession spaces) for this 5-workshop programme
Please self-select, knowing that those that can afford the standard price can help others in a less fortunate position to attend the course, while at the same time supporting the facilitators to your best ability.
Programme led by Kate Oldfield.
Kate Oldfield runs creative writing workshops at The Writing Well. She finds her own voice in poetry and is finishing the first draft of a novel set in Scotland in WW2, based on true events.
After choosing to study art history and English under leading feminist tutors at Leeds University such as Grizelda Pollock for her BA and at the Courtauld for her Masters, she moved into the publishing industry, in which she worked for over twenty years. After her third child, she adjusted her consultancy work to become a writing mentor, ghost-writer and ‘book fixer’. She is now qualified in therapeutic and reflective writing practices (Professional Writing Academy, 2020). She has been running workshops – teaching creative writing skills, writing for wellbeing, and collaborative poetry sessions – since 2019.
What people have said about Kate:
"Kate is a clever and kind facilitator who includes everyone and keeps the pace, and can evoke and stimulate people to be their best creative selves. I love it. A doctor could prescribe it; it’s uplifting and thought-provoking." Lucy
“Kate, it’s how you flow and keep everybody very engaged… you allow us all to feel safe enough to admit our vulnerability, and then the rest of the group becomes so connected because of that safe sharing process. It's beautiful Katie, thank you so much. I'm so happy that I found you.” Participant
“The Creative Connections workshops sounded like an excellent opportunity to connect with others who share a desire to release the creative spirit. They are a safe, nurturing place in which to explore and create. I haven’t been disappointed. Under the caring and positive guidance of Kate, I have started to unblock my creativity. Each session offers something new, exciting and challenging.” Linda
“There is an unfolding, a dawning of confidence, a growing enthusiasm, then a welling then a spilling of ideas and associations from the stew of all of us mixed together. Faint hearts are warmed, doubts and diffidence banished. You hold the group together, reflect us back and knit bits back into the mix. We do in fact indeed ‘blossom and flourish’ as the hymn has it. I think that’s remarkable.” Sally
[NB: This course is a repeat of the sold-out summer course.]
We are here, we have survived. But is that enough?
Join us as we set out on a creative and reflective ‘journey’ to the self and to new stories.
We will use Bridge's 'Transitions' Map' as guide: from Letting Go; through Moving in Between towards Acceptance and New Beginnings.
Participant numbers will be limited to 8.
For women’s lives, change is so prevalent. Many of these things are common experiences: hormonal change, changes in independence and dependence, loss, grief, isolation, empty nests, divorce, retirement, loss of income – to name but a few.
How can we navigate our journey using our own gifts and wisdom, rather than using the familiar demands and expectations of the ‘hero’s journey’, made popular through myth, fairy tale and film?
How might we find and claim new stories of fulfilment and self-expression through challenging times, which might feel more authentic, and help us heal and move on?
How can we use these new stories to create different, more fulfilling, expanded, safer, more sustainable lives, for ourselves and those around us?
In this 5-week programme of 2-hour workshops, we will look at our stories through the lenses of the seasons and of the cycles of life. We will share readings and discussions and have plenty of time to write in response to these.
Come and share and reclaim your own story in these safe and inspirational workshops.
These sessions are for reflective and therapeutic writing, and whilst experienced writers are welcome so too are beginners, who will be able to reap equal rewards.
We will use the poetry of writers such as Mary Oliver, Denise Levertov and Alice Walker as touchstones and signposts as we travel together. And we will consider the ideas of writers who have done so much work in this field, such as Sharon Blackie (If Women Rose Rooted) and Maureen Murdock (The Heroine’s Journey).
You can expect gentle yet inspirational and revealing writing prompts. You can also expect conversations about love and loss, determination and resilience, being and becoming, escape and transformation, creativity and community – and self-realization.
There will be a chance to share a few lines of our own – although there is no obligation to do so.
You will gain a sense of deepened connection and curiosity – and a collection of original writing ‘stubs’ which might flourish as future writing projects or maps of your continuing journey.
If you would like to discuss any aspect of this course, please do get in touch. hello@kateoldfieldwrites.com
Fee: £160 (or a limited number of £120 concession spaces) for this 5-workshop programme
Please self-select, knowing that those that can afford the standard price can help others in a less fortunate position to attend the course, while at the same time supporting the facilitators to your best ability.
Programme led by Kate Oldfield.
Kate Oldfield runs creative writing workshops at The Writing Well. She finds her own voice in poetry and is finishing the first draft of a novel set in Scotland in WW2, based on true events.
After choosing to study art history and English under leading feminist tutors at Leeds University such as Grizelda Pollock for her BA and at the Courtauld for her Masters, she moved into the publishing industry, in which she worked for over twenty years. After her third child, she adjusted her consultancy work to become a writing mentor, ghost-writer and ‘book fixer’. She is now qualified in therapeutic and reflective writing practices (Professional Writing Academy, 2020). She has been running workshops – teaching creative writing skills, writing for wellbeing, and collaborative poetry sessions – since 2019.
What people have said about Kate:
"Kate is a clever and kind facilitator who includes everyone and keeps the pace, and can evoke and stimulate people to be their best creative selves. I love it. A doctor could prescribe it; it’s uplifting and thought-provoking." Lucy
“Kate, it’s how you flow and keep everybody very engaged… you allow us all to feel safe enough to admit our vulnerability, and then the rest of the group becomes so connected because of that safe sharing process. It's beautiful Katie, thank you so much. I'm so happy that I found you.” Participant
“The Creative Connections workshops sounded like an excellent opportunity to connect with others who share a desire to release the creative spirit. They are a safe, nurturing place in which to explore and create. I haven’t been disappointed. Under the caring and positive guidance of Kate, I have started to unblock my creativity. Each session offers something new, exciting and challenging.” Linda
“There is an unfolding, a dawning of confidence, a growing enthusiasm, then a welling then a spilling of ideas and associations from the stew of all of us mixed together. Faint hearts are warmed, doubts and diffidence banished. You hold the group together, reflect us back and knit bits back into the mix. We do in fact indeed ‘blossom and flourish’ as the hymn has it. I think that’s remarkable.” Sally
[NB: This course is a repeat of the sold-out summer course.]
We are here, we have survived. But is that enough?
Join us as we set out on a creative and reflective ‘journey’ to the self and to new stories.
We will use Bridge's 'Transitions' Map' as guide: from Letting Go; through Moving in Between towards Acceptance and New Beginnings.
Participant numbers will be limited to 8.
For women’s lives, change is so prevalent. Many of these things are common experiences: hormonal change, changes in independence and dependence, loss, grief, isolation, empty nests, divorce, retirement, loss of income – to name but a few.
How can we navigate our journey using our own gifts and wisdom, rather than using the familiar demands and expectations of the ‘hero’s journey’, made popular through myth, fairy tale and film?
How might we find and claim new stories of fulfilment and self-expression through challenging times, which might feel more authentic, and help us heal and move on?
How can we use these new stories to create different, more fulfilling, expanded, safer, more sustainable lives, for ourselves and those around us?
In this 5-week programme of 2-hour workshops, we will look at our stories through the lenses of the seasons and of the cycles of life. We will share readings and discussions and have plenty of time to write in response to these.
Come and share and reclaim your own story in these safe and inspirational workshops.
These sessions are for reflective and therapeutic writing, and whilst experienced writers are welcome so too are beginners, who will be able to reap equal rewards.
We will use the poetry of writers such as Mary Oliver, Denise Levertov and Alice Walker as touchstones and signposts as we travel together. And we will consider the ideas of writers who have done so much work in this field, such as Sharon Blackie (If Women Rose Rooted) and Maureen Murdock (The Heroine’s Journey).
You can expect gentle yet inspirational and revealing writing prompts. You can also expect conversations about love and loss, determination and resilience, being and becoming, escape and transformation, creativity and community – and self-realization.
There will be a chance to share a few lines of our own – although there is no obligation to do so.
You will gain a sense of deepened connection and curiosity – and a collection of original writing ‘stubs’ which might flourish as future writing projects or maps of your continuing journey.
If you would like to discuss any aspect of this course, please do get in touch. hello@kateoldfieldwrites.com
Fee: £160 (or a limited number of £120 concession spaces) for this 5-workshop programme
Please self-select, knowing that those that can afford the standard price can help others in a less fortunate position to attend the course, while at the same time supporting the facilitators to your best ability.
Programme led by Kate Oldfield.
Kate Oldfield runs creative writing workshops at The Writing Well. She finds her own voice in poetry and is finishing the first draft of a novel set in Scotland in WW2, based on true events.
After choosing to study art history and English under leading feminist tutors at Leeds University such as Grizelda Pollock for her BA and at the Courtauld for her Masters, she moved into the publishing industry, in which she worked for over twenty years. After her third child, she adjusted her consultancy work to become a writing mentor, ghost-writer and ‘book fixer’. She is now qualified in therapeutic and reflective writing practices (Professional Writing Academy, 2020). She has been running workshops – teaching creative writing skills, writing for wellbeing, and collaborative poetry sessions – since 2019.
What people have said about Kate:
"Kate is a clever and kind facilitator who includes everyone and keeps the pace, and can evoke and stimulate people to be their best creative selves. I love it. A doctor could prescribe it; it’s uplifting and thought-provoking." Lucy
“Kate, it’s how you flow and keep everybody very engaged… you allow us all to feel safe enough to admit our vulnerability, and then the rest of the group becomes so connected because of that safe sharing process. It's beautiful Katie, thank you so much. I'm so happy that I found you.” Participant
“The Creative Connections workshops sounded like an excellent opportunity to connect with others who share a desire to release the creative spirit. They are a safe, nurturing place in which to explore and create. I haven’t been disappointed. Under the caring and positive guidance of Kate, I have started to unblock my creativity. Each session offers something new, exciting and challenging.” Linda
“There is an unfolding, a dawning of confidence, a growing enthusiasm, then a welling then a spilling of ideas and associations from the stew of all of us mixed together. Faint hearts are warmed, doubts and diffidence banished. You hold the group together, reflect us back and knit bits back into the mix. We do in fact indeed ‘blossom and flourish’ as the hymn has it. I think that’s remarkable.” Sally
““There is an unfolding, a dawning of confidence, a growing enthusiasm, then a welling then a spilling of ideas and associations from the stew of all of us mixed together. Faint hearts are warmed, doubts and diffidence banished. You hold the group together, reflect us back and knit bits back into the mix. We do in fact indeed ‘blossom and flourish’ as the hymn has it. I think that’s remarkable.” ”
““Kate is a clever and kind facilitator who includes everyone and keeps the pace, and can evoke and stimulate people to be their best creative selves. I love it. A doctor could prescribe it; it’s uplifting and thought-provoking.” ”
“As women, in this society, we’re in this whole ‘doing thing’, aren’t we? We keep on doing, and we get tired, but you provide a space for us to be. And that is healing in itself. I love it. I just love it.”
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This inclusive and inspirational session is for anyone interested in reflective writing and self-discovery –at whatever level they believe themselves to be.
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The facilitator is Kate Oldfield, host of The Writing Well workshops and events, publisher, writing mentor, author, poet and faciliator qualified in therapeutic and reflective writing practices).
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Live sessions– on Zoom.
The sessions open 5 minutes before teaching so we can start promptly.
The Zoom link, which will be valid for all sessions, will be sent out some time in the 5 days before the course starts. A reminder zoom link will be sent out some time in 24 hours before the following sessions.
If you have not received your link 24 hours before the course is due to start, please first check your spam folder,. If it is not there then please contact hello@kateoldfieldwrites.com
Please check before the first sesston hat you have a reliable broadband signal, an internal space free from background noise, and that your microphone and camera work
We can offer some tech advice to anyone who needs it before the course starts.
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5 x Thursday evenings:
Thursday 19th September
Thursday 26th September
Thursday 3rd October
Thursday 10th October
Thursday 17th October
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7pm to 9pm UK
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Standard ticket £160
Supported ticket £120 (limited number)
Please self-select, knowing that those that can afford the standard price can help others in a less fortunate position to attend the course, while at the same time supporting the facilitators to your best ability.
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