Many young people growing up with lung and heart conditions face similar experiences as each other, but rarely get the chance to discuss them openly, honestly, and with peer support. This series will introduce you to a group of like-minded people who are exploring what it means to advocate for your own health as a young person. We want to explore an identity which includes disability and chronic illness in an accepting, self-empowering way.

Each workshop will include the chance to share your own thoughts and experiences. We will be offering creative prompts in each workshop to encourage participants to interact with illnesses and disabilities in a non-clinical environment. Many creative outlets are known to have a positive impact on mental health, with music, drama, and art programs already existing for people with disabilities. The prompts in these workshops will focus on creativity with words and books.

Open to participants to join whichever workshops interest them most (you’re welcome to join all of them too!), the workshops will be structured as follows:

Wednesday 2nd June 6-8pm - Introduction and get to know each other

Chloe and Sophie discuss their own health journeys through childhood and will open up a discussion for other people to join in. Prompted by questions, this conversation will offer a rare chance to be honest about things that often aren’t openly discussed by able-bodied adults and health care providers. The session will end with a creative prompt.

Thursday 10th June 6-8pm - Disability 101

Chloe will lead discussions on what disability is and what it looks like for us, as well as how we can become our own best self advocates. These will be open chats to share what you feel comfortable with. It might be new to you and that’s ok- there are no right or wrong answers. In the second half there will be a brief introduction to disability history and movements, activists, and disabled artists. This workshop will give you a chance to make your own “zine” (small DIY magazine) about disability.

Thursday 17th June 6-8pm - Creative workshop

Sophie will lead a discussion about current disabled social media advocates and activists and how they are shaping the conversation around access needs, ableism, and disabled identity. In the second half, the workshop will focus on disabled representation in books, discuss disabled authors, and end with prompts to write your own work, with a chance to share with each other at the end.

All workshops will be held via Zoom. A link will be emailed to you after registration. For any questions before the workshop, please email Trailblazers@thebromptonfountain.org.uk.

Chronically Creative Workshop Series