Longing for Belonging
This week I’ve sat alongside those who speak and act like socialists yet vote right wing..folk who rate Tommy Robinson and plan to vote for UKIP at the next election (do they even still exist?!) The
Knitting and Knife Attacks
I spent the morning knitting and organising in the beautiful space at Wellgood Socials, listening to people offer and receive peer support and organising community events. A new association has blosso
Finding Compassion in Pain
I haven’t been here for a few days, mainly because something is burbulating and I’ve not found the words for it yet. And, life’s been really busy. Gloriously busy. And yet so difficult and frust
The Slick Machine
For a while now I’ve been writing a poem, based on a haiku with a 5-7-5 syllable format. It’s been a way often of expressing both frustration and hope and it’s really helped me to contain annoya
Joy and Pain. Old and New
We are cooking on gas. And at the same time, I can hear my Dad saying, ‘pride comes before a fall.’ Roots and wings. It feels like no one can touch the centre of that which is being created. Like
New Northern Weave
On Friday I was in the company of a glorious group of women – the New Northern Weave. Every time I’m with them I go away feeling wiser, more knowledgeable and nourished. And goodness we need n
The Common Good
I’ve been mulling over something that happened the other day and a conversation that I had with another community member a while ago. We were at Wellgood socials and a community member who holds a p
Community Healing
Overnight I’ve been wondering about how yesterday’s post might be received by readers. I wondered if readers might ask, ‘surely they signposted the woman who shared her long history of traum
Who Looks After You?
Yesterday a member of the community chose to share their life story. One filled with trauma and abuse. At the end, the person said to me, ‘who looks after you?’ And it made my heart open and also
Joyful Days
Today at WellGood Social was just absolutely amazing for so many different reasons. Watching the long time ago retired and wise youth worker coach the younger women. Seeing the Councillors join in and