Writing for Wellbeing Sussex is a recently established group interested in writing and poetry for its creative, fun, health and wellbeing benefits.

We've begun to meet every couple of months upstairs at the Hop and Vine in Fiveways, Brighton. The format is flexible and ranges from writing together to discussing our work to planning events. Do get in contact if you'd like to come along to a meeting. The next one is on 1st October.

One of the events we're planning is Ted Bowman's  visit to Brighton on Saturday, 26 September, from 10 am - 2pm. Ted is a poet and editor who uses literary resources in his work in loss and grief.  He is a long-time resource for Lapidus and a former board member of the National Association for Poetry Therapy. He lives in Minnesota, USA.

This year Ted will use prompts and guided discussions to explore the theme of Belonging and its implications for life and work.

"Belonging is an evocative and multi-meaning word.  Whether used as a noun, ...a verb, even metaphorically, belonging often links heart and head.  To fit in, to be a part of, to be the property of…close, secure relationships…belonging can mean many things.  Opportunities to explore meanings can be important, stimulating and clarifying. In this experiential session, participants will be invited to explore the layers of meaning the word belonging evokes."  Ted Bowman

Places for this workshop are limited. 

If you'd like to book a place:

e: writewordwell@gmail.com

m: 0777 3379 526

Cost: £25, Lapidus members £15

At Ty Newydd Writers Centre

I arrived in a sea fog which made the beach invisible and muted the sounds of Easter Monday holiday makers. Thereafter it was a perfectly sunny, warm week at the The Nawe / Lapidus Writing Retreat at Ty Newydd Writers Centre in North Wales - ripe for gentle distraction activities like winding the coastal path to Crricieth.

I was co-hosting the Retreat this year with Nawe's Chair Liz Cashdan. It's essentially an unstructured opportunity to get away from everything and write. The environment is calm and conducive with delicious and healthy meals provided (all dietary requirements catered for!) by Gwynn and Erin who live on site, and a congenial office staff on hand to help with anything from printing to taxis and local info.

Optional workshops were also available including one on poetry and a novel writing workshop from a published author.   

Liz and I also offered one to ones which allowed time for individual participants to explore aspects of writing and writing for wellbeing.

A highlight of the week was the visit from Jill Teague of Lapidus, who lives nearby in the North Wales forest, to facilitate her Writing in Nature workshop. This gave us an opportunity to focus on the landscape around the centre, encounter nature and its inhabitants and process the experience in writing and words.

Robert Graves' The Welsh Incident begins with the lines


‘But that was nothing to what things came out
From the sea-caves of Criccieth yonder.’

The Retreat is held each year in April at Ty Newydd.  More details are available from Nawe.