Fréa Renewing Roots Community Group: Creative Writing Session
This blog series follows the journey of a survivor support group made up of men and women who were either born in or gave birth in Ireland’s Mother and Baby and County Home institutions and now live across the north of England. Some are first-generation survivors supporting their loved ones and trying to make sense of their own stories. We meet once a month across the north of England, creating a safe and welcoming space for connection, reflection, and sometimes just a good bit of craic.
The purpose of this series is to gently share the spirit of the group – the laughter, the moments of reflection, and the creative ways we’re supporting one another. We hope that by sharing some of this journey, others will feel less alone and might be encouraged to reach out, whether they’re seeking support for themselves or for someone they care about.
No personal stories or identifying details are shared without clear permission. The focus is on the collective experience and the power of coming together, after years - sometimes decades - of silence and isolation.
A wee yarn
This month, an extended creative writing session brought us to the Irish World Heritage Centre in Manchester. Usually facilitated online, today Aoibh Clarke (Wee Yarn Productions) travelled over from Belfast to deliver the session in person.
Everyone was delighted that she had flown in especially and Aoibh received a warm group welcome. Plenty of time for wee natter and a catch up as we settled in. There were feelings of excitement and anticipation expressed about what a full day of creative writing would look like and what the group might produce by the end.
Inspired by music
Aoibh shared a piece of her own poetry. A gesture of encouragement to demonstrate that we are our stories, and poetry is in all of us. We meet and commune, we share and connect, building community along the way.
For our first activity, we listened to instrumental pieces of music and wrote down whatever came to mind. No stress about spelling or punctuation and no pressure to share if we didn’t want to.
“Just sitting back and listening to music,
And yet it can take you to the Cliffs of Moher”
A tone was set for the day, one of safety and exploration. This would be a day to listen to our inner voices without judgement, to pay attention to memories and feelings, to ask ourselves questions without the need for correct answers.
Artwork and poetry created by the community group will be part of the Liverpool Irish Festival in October this year. As a group whose voices have been collectively censored and even silenced for decades it feels inspiring to witness their appetite to share their perspectives and experiences. The voices and feelings expressed will shape a piece of performance poetry that Aoibh will perform and record.
Aoibh skilfully guided the group to use simile and metaphor to express their ideas. We listened to poetry from other writers like Seamus Heaney to explore memory and environment. This inspired a poem by an individual about digging for the missing treasure of their past.
“I like to go out in the field today, and dig a vegetable patch,
And dig, and dig, or maybe search.
For a missing treasure, from my past,
Or a missing jigsaw piece, of the puzzle in my past life”
Mine to tell, mine to share
All of the writing created by the group speaks to their lived experience, of their pain, of their joy and their hopes for the future. One group member described their story as “a young oak tree growing”. We chatted about how the damage an oak gets when it's young can gradually, as the oak grows older and the bark more sophisticated, become something beautiful.
Hearing the responses to prompts and activities throughout the day served as a reminder of how bonded the group have become over the course of our sessions. Smiling nods of understanding for memories shared, patience and encouragement when emotions run high and we need a moment of pause. With each passing month, we learn a little more about each other. Old memories unlocked and new memories made as we weave another thread into the rich group tapestry.
As we left the heritage centre at the end of the day, there was a palpable sense of pride within the group. There’s no denying, they’re all poets now.
Join us in Liverpool on 1 November to enjoy the group’s writings in full. Book your free ticket here.
If you’re reading this and wondering whether this group is for you – whether you’d fit in, whether it’s the right time – just know this: You’ll be met with warmth, understanding, and maybe even a bit of laughter. You don’t have to say anything. You don’t have to explain. Just come as you are. We’ll be here.
If you’d like to learn more about the group or how to get involved, please get in touch.
You can reach us via email at renewingroots@frea.org.uk or call one of the team:
Patrick: 07432 138 682 | Natalie: 07849 835 841 | Ciaran: 07732 901 782