This experiential workshop is an invitation to CaPPP members to take time out of their busy lives supporting others to experience creative and expressive writing as a source of care and nourishment for themselves.

Led by therapeutic writing facilitator and counsellor Rachel Hawkins-Crockford, the day aims to enable participants to connect with themselves and with each other through writing from a series of creative and reflective prompts. There will be opportunities to share your writing and reflections with each other throughout the day.

No previous writing experience is necessary. The workshop is not about spelling, grammar or technique or crafting the perfect piece of creative writing. It is an opportunity to meet with your peers, in a safe and supportive setting, to explore the power of your own words written in the moment to create insights, growth and healing and to explore your own creativity as a source of nourishment. Your writing can be shared but it will not be ‘judged.’

Rachel will offer a variety of prompts throughout the day to allow participants to pause, reflect and write in a gentle and enjoyable way. You will come away with some creative and reflective writing tools to use yourself at home together with a reading list to explore if this is an area that you want to investigate further, whether for yourselves or as an adjunct to your practice lives.

Facilitator Profile:

Rachel has a diploma in psychotherapeutic counselling and a further qualification in creative writing for therapeutic purposes. She has experience working with a wide range of people in different settings. She often uses writing as a healing and developmental tool to help others to find space to explore or move forward in relation to life issues they are facing and she has lived experience of the beneficial power of writing. She expresses her own creativity through writing and sharing stories, particularly poetry and is a member of a regular poetry workshopping group, facilitates a number of reflective writing groups and co-facilitates an annual writing for self-care retreat. She experiences writing as a way to rest and reflect, to generate insight and enhance her professional development, and to create connections with others and to the natural world. She is committed to creating the space for others to experience the benefit of writing in an expressive and healing way.

Price: CaPPP Members £65.00 – £70, Non-members £75.00

Places are limited and must be booked in advance by 12.00 on Friday 14th October.

Registration & refreshments: 9.30 to 10.00 lunch and refreshments are included in the price

Venue: Engineer’s House, The Promenade, Clifton Down, Clifton, Avon, Bristol BS8 3NB