NOURISH | online reflective writing programme for women seeking rest, renewal & change | Pam Winter & Kate Oldfield | Fridays 31st Jan–7th March, 10am–12.30pm GMT
An invitation to women who would like to step out of the busy noise of modern life for 5 weekly sessions and take a hint from winter in the northern hemisphere and to root down into stillness and rest.
Participant numbers will be limited to 12.
Join us as we set out on a creative and reflective ‘journey’ to the self and to new stories, through reflective writing and shared reading of carefully chosen poems.
These courses (see also the Flourish programme) have helped many women rescue and revive a sense of self as they negotiate so many common experiences: hormonal change, changes in independence and dependence, loss, grief, isolation, empty nests, divorce, retirement, loss of income – to name but a few.
Nourish will help us to claim new stories of fulfilment and self-expression, in a supportive small community, through challenging times, to help us heal and move on, to nuture our own needs and desire, and to find a resotorative centre of calm.
In this 5-week programme of 2.5-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.
Programme led by Pam Winter and Kate Oldfield.
If you would like to discuss any aspect of this course, please do get in touch. hello@kateoldfieldwrites.com
Fee: £200
(there is a limited number of £165** concession spaces - please read our eligibility criteria before applying to Kate at the email above)
** You qualify for a concession if any of the following apply to you:
– You claim Universal Credit, pension credit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), income support or job seekers allowance
– You are in receipt of working tax credit
– You are low-waged (single household: annual income of less than £23,000 inc. tax / family household: combined annual income less than £34,500 inc. tax)
You may also qualify for a concession if the following apply, but we request that anyone in these categories whose income or circumstances are sufficient to pay the full rate foregoes a concessionary place, so that it can go to someone in greater need.
– You are a full-time student
– You are aged 18-25
Pam Winter (BACP Snr Accred Counsellor) is a certified poetry therapist and runs a variety of personal and professional development groups using poetry therapy, expressive and reflective writing. She has a background in teaching and extensive experience as a therapist and coach. She returned to a lifelong love of poetry, journalling and the power of word for healing and change following attending a writing course on therapeutic writing with the Professional Writing Academy. Pam lives in Marsden, a small village on the edge of moorland, where she enjoys time walking and writing. For more information see her website www.path-wise.co.uk
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 chosing 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 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 Pam:
‘’Pam thanks again for yesterday. It felt very important and galvanising. I’m already amazed by how the process of reading and writing poetry as part of therapy enables me to go so much deeper and broader, faster (and in another way, not amazed, as this is what I had thought might happen…but hardly dared to hope!’)’’Janet
‘’ Pam's facilitation style is much more active than I've experienced previously, but this is conscious and feels appropriate. Pam selects a range of poems for stimulus, and ensures a good chunk of each session is made up of me actually writing in the moment, as well as between sessions. Working in this way has helped me to improve the breadth, depth and clarity of my thinking, understand myself better on an emotional level, and rediscover my voice. Perhaps most unexpectedly, it’s also helped me to overcome challenges and solve problems in my role and outside of work. It puts me in mind of a kind of creative physiotherapy – consciously exercising an underused muscle to increase flexibility and strength.’’ Dom
‘’You are a highly skilled facilitator of groups and in addition to making it look effortless there is a certain magic in what you do. I have always looked forward to your workshops because I know that I am going to be inspired and uplifted. You hold the group and the process well, gently encouraging people to share without pushing people to reveal beyond their own comfort levels…Great use of materials you really know your stuff, experience and knowledge of poetry as a therapeutic tool as well as a knowledge of poetry shown in the exquisite choice of poems to work with.’’ Kathryn
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
“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
An invitation to women who would like to step out of the busy noise of modern life for 5 weekly sessions and take a hint from winter in the northern hemisphere and to root down into stillness and rest.
Participant numbers will be limited to 12.
Join us as we set out on a creative and reflective ‘journey’ to the self and to new stories, through reflective writing and shared reading of carefully chosen poems.
These courses (see also the Flourish programme) have helped many women rescue and revive a sense of self as they negotiate so many common experiences: hormonal change, changes in independence and dependence, loss, grief, isolation, empty nests, divorce, retirement, loss of income – to name but a few.
Nourish will help us to claim new stories of fulfilment and self-expression, in a supportive small community, through challenging times, to help us heal and move on, to nuture our own needs and desire, and to find a resotorative centre of calm.
In this 5-week programme of 2.5-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.
Programme led by Pam Winter and Kate Oldfield.
If you would like to discuss any aspect of this course, please do get in touch. hello@kateoldfieldwrites.com
Fee: £200
(there is a limited number of £165** concession spaces - please read our eligibility criteria before applying to Kate at the email above)
** You qualify for a concession if any of the following apply to you:
– You claim Universal Credit, pension credit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), income support or job seekers allowance
– You are in receipt of working tax credit
– You are low-waged (single household: annual income of less than £23,000 inc. tax / family household: combined annual income less than £34,500 inc. tax)
You may also qualify for a concession if the following apply, but we request that anyone in these categories whose income or circumstances are sufficient to pay the full rate foregoes a concessionary place, so that it can go to someone in greater need.
– You are a full-time student
– You are aged 18-25
Pam Winter (BACP Snr Accred Counsellor) is a certified poetry therapist and runs a variety of personal and professional development groups using poetry therapy, expressive and reflective writing. She has a background in teaching and extensive experience as a therapist and coach. She returned to a lifelong love of poetry, journalling and the power of word for healing and change following attending a writing course on therapeutic writing with the Professional Writing Academy. Pam lives in Marsden, a small village on the edge of moorland, where she enjoys time walking and writing. For more information see her website www.path-wise.co.uk
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 chosing 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 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 Pam:
‘’Pam thanks again for yesterday. It felt very important and galvanising. I’m already amazed by how the process of reading and writing poetry as part of therapy enables me to go so much deeper and broader, faster (and in another way, not amazed, as this is what I had thought might happen…but hardly dared to hope!’)’’Janet
‘’ Pam's facilitation style is much more active than I've experienced previously, but this is conscious and feels appropriate. Pam selects a range of poems for stimulus, and ensures a good chunk of each session is made up of me actually writing in the moment, as well as between sessions. Working in this way has helped me to improve the breadth, depth and clarity of my thinking, understand myself better on an emotional level, and rediscover my voice. Perhaps most unexpectedly, it’s also helped me to overcome challenges and solve problems in my role and outside of work. It puts me in mind of a kind of creative physiotherapy – consciously exercising an underused muscle to increase flexibility and strength.’’ Dom
‘’You are a highly skilled facilitator of groups and in addition to making it look effortless there is a certain magic in what you do. I have always looked forward to your workshops because I know that I am going to be inspired and uplifted. You hold the group and the process well, gently encouraging people to share without pushing people to reveal beyond their own comfort levels…Great use of materials you really know your stuff, experience and knowledge of poetry as a therapeutic tool as well as a knowledge of poetry shown in the exquisite choice of poems to work with.’’ Kathryn
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
“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
An invitation to women who would like to step out of the busy noise of modern life for 5 weekly sessions and take a hint from winter in the northern hemisphere and to root down into stillness and rest.
Participant numbers will be limited to 12.
Join us as we set out on a creative and reflective ‘journey’ to the self and to new stories, through reflective writing and shared reading of carefully chosen poems.
These courses (see also the Flourish programme) have helped many women rescue and revive a sense of self as they negotiate so many common experiences: hormonal change, changes in independence and dependence, loss, grief, isolation, empty nests, divorce, retirement, loss of income – to name but a few.
Nourish will help us to claim new stories of fulfilment and self-expression, in a supportive small community, through challenging times, to help us heal and move on, to nuture our own needs and desire, and to find a resotorative centre of calm.
In this 5-week programme of 2.5-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.
Programme led by Pam Winter and Kate Oldfield.
If you would like to discuss any aspect of this course, please do get in touch. hello@kateoldfieldwrites.com
Fee: £200
(there is a limited number of £165** concession spaces - please read our eligibility criteria before applying to Kate at the email above)
** You qualify for a concession if any of the following apply to you:
– You claim Universal Credit, pension credit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), income support or job seekers allowance
– You are in receipt of working tax credit
– You are low-waged (single household: annual income of less than £23,000 inc. tax / family household: combined annual income less than £34,500 inc. tax)
You may also qualify for a concession if the following apply, but we request that anyone in these categories whose income or circumstances are sufficient to pay the full rate foregoes a concessionary place, so that it can go to someone in greater need.
– You are a full-time student
– You are aged 18-25
Pam Winter (BACP Snr Accred Counsellor) is a certified poetry therapist and runs a variety of personal and professional development groups using poetry therapy, expressive and reflective writing. She has a background in teaching and extensive experience as a therapist and coach. She returned to a lifelong love of poetry, journalling and the power of word for healing and change following attending a writing course on therapeutic writing with the Professional Writing Academy. Pam lives in Marsden, a small village on the edge of moorland, where she enjoys time walking and writing. For more information see her website www.path-wise.co.uk
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 chosing 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 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 Pam:
‘’Pam thanks again for yesterday. It felt very important and galvanising. I’m already amazed by how the process of reading and writing poetry as part of therapy enables me to go so much deeper and broader, faster (and in another way, not amazed, as this is what I had thought might happen…but hardly dared to hope!’)’’Janet
‘’ Pam's facilitation style is much more active than I've experienced previously, but this is conscious and feels appropriate. Pam selects a range of poems for stimulus, and ensures a good chunk of each session is made up of me actually writing in the moment, as well as between sessions. Working in this way has helped me to improve the breadth, depth and clarity of my thinking, understand myself better on an emotional level, and rediscover my voice. Perhaps most unexpectedly, it’s also helped me to overcome challenges and solve problems in my role and outside of work. It puts me in mind of a kind of creative physiotherapy – consciously exercising an underused muscle to increase flexibility and strength.’’ Dom
‘’You are a highly skilled facilitator of groups and in addition to making it look effortless there is a certain magic in what you do. I have always looked forward to your workshops because I know that I am going to be inspired and uplifted. You hold the group and the process well, gently encouraging people to share without pushing people to reveal beyond their own comfort levels…Great use of materials you really know your stuff, experience and knowledge of poetry as a therapeutic tool as well as a knowledge of poetry shown in the exquisite choice of poems to work with.’’ Kathryn
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
“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
“Better than therapy - and much cheaper!”
““Pam thanks again for yesterday. It felt very important and galvanising. I’m already amazed by how the process of reading and writing poetry as part of therapy enables me to go so much deeper and broader, faster (and in another way, not amazed, as this is what I had thought might happen…but hardly dared to hope!’)””
“
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.”
““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.” ”
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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 facilitators are Pam Winter (a certified poetry therapist who runs a variety of personal and professional development groups using poetry therapy, expressive and reflective writing); and 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 Fridays:
Friday 31st Jan
Friday Friday 7th Feb
Friday 14th Feb
(NB No session on Friday 21st Feb)
Friday 28th Feb
Friday 7th March
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10am to 12.30pm GMT
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Fee £200
(there is a limited number of £165** concession spaces - please read our eligibility criteria before applying to Kate at hello@kateoldfieldwrites.com)
** You qualify for a concession if any of the following apply to you:
– You claim Universal Credit, pension credit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), income support or job seekers allowance
– You are in receipt of working tax credit
– You are low-waged (single household: annual income of less than £23,000 inc. tax / family household: combined annual income less than £34,500 inc. tax)You may also qualify for a concession if the following apply, but we request that anyone in these categories whose income or circumstances are sufficient to pay the full rate foregoes a concessionary place, so that it can go to someone in greater need.
– You are a full-time student
– You are aged 18-25 -