These workshops are designed for families, carers, supporters and kin of people challenged by mental health and/or alcohol and other drug use.

Led by award-winning published writer Karen McKnight who has lived experience as a carer and has spent years helping individuals and groups to find their voice through writing, these creative writing workshops will cover a range of writing styles such as freewriting, poetry, memoir and fiction-writing, allowing for the development of creative self-expression, storytelling skills and supportive peer dynamics.

**Please note this workshop consists of 4 sessions. Participants should commit to attending all 4 sessions.

Week 1: Stream of consciousness - 20 November

Letting go of the rules of writing through a range of intuitive, right brain techniques. These work towards reconnecting to oneself, one’s values and to what makes life meaningful.

Week 2: Discovering your story - 27 November

Compiling lists of significant moments and turning points in your life as a way of mapping your journey, observing patterns and discovering the stories you want to tell.

Week 3: The Hero’s Journey, story structure & fictionalising - 4 December

Retelling one’s story as a character on a Hero’s Journey using a structure which is empowering and enlightening can resolve concerns about privacy.

Week 4: The power of poetry as a therapeutic tool - 11 December

An introduction to list poetry, Beat poets and poetry prompts to create moving and powerful spoken word poems. Living the Writer’s Life: An overview of peer led writing groups, and where to from here.

Any questions, please contact:

Phone: 8850 4136

Email: chuck.cheng@accesshc.org.au