“And if they could have

they would have

built him

a rescue contraption

like McGyver or The A-Team

with welding torches and lathes

and paint-tins and concrete and planks”

This is a free creative writing workshop for people who have experienced grief and bereavement. This event is part of a series of National Grief Awareness week 2-8 Dec 2020.

Joe says: The intention of the workshop is to create a space and structures where participants can express their memories of people and moments through writing.

I have experienced several family bereavements over the last few years, and as poet, I have used my writing to try and make some sense of these experiences. Memorials like funerals and obituaries often don’t feel enough, and I have found writing is also a way to capture and explore those elements of a person that he/she/they has left behind.

The idea of a “rescue contraption” poem is that of an imperfect tool that might look a bit ungainly and doesn’t always work, but through writing it, we can start to make sense of an experience, capture some moments that are valuable, and maybe even move towards transforming some of of our feelings and memories into something we can “handle” better. The phrase comes from my poem “Notes From Oakland” and reflects on the very difficult memory of my younger brother’s death, but also on the incredible kindness I witnessed from the Irish builder community over there.

This workshop invites you to write about people you know or care about it, using easy accessible writing techniques, such as list poems, and captured moments in time.

About the Facilitator

Originally from Northern Ireland, Joe Duggan has been writing since the late 90s, with his first full collection “Fizzbombs” published by Tall Lighthouse in 2008, with included work highly commended in The Forward Prize 2009 and featured in the Forward Book of Poetry 2010.

He has been published widely and enjoys performing on the London poetry scene, featuring at Latitude, Cheltenham Poetry Festival, the Southbank Centre, Cuirt Poetry Festival, Cheltenham Poetry Festival and a host of other venues.

A qualified primary school teacher, he is also an experienced creative writing facilitator, working in both school and community settings. In 2019 he delivered workshops with two South London hospices exploring how we can explore grief and compassion through writing. The same year, his show “Rescue Contraptions” (Attic Arts Club) with musician Declan Feenan explored how spoken words and poetry can help us make sense of grief and the challenges that life throws at us.

“Under the chatty vernacular is a lovely, casual sharpness, like an unexpected hot chilli in something sold as sweet. There’s power and tenderness together here.” Cherry Smith Poetry Editor BRAND MAGAZINE

“There’s a forgotten sector of society here that Duggan speaks directly to……As plain speaking and direct as poetry gets” VERBAL MAGAZINE

About The Loss Project

The Loss Project is a new initiative working across the UK and beyond aimed at connecting people in local communities through the experience of loss, death, dying or trauma.

We know that losses can come in various forms; the loss of independence, confidence, sense of self and of course, of loved ones. Our mission is to challenge the stigma and taboo of loss in its many forms, cutting through the barriers of difficult conversations and subjects that can often remain unspoken.

Through community conversations, social action and creative projects The Loss Project will aim to support communities to become more open and connected.

Joining Details

Once you've registered, you'll get a Zoom link nearer the time of the event which will include all the joining details. You'll be able to join via phone, tablet or laptop/ computer.

NB: We are not trained counsellors and this is not a group therapy session. There are other organisations that may be able to support you, should this be the type of support you need. There will be a breakout space available to you during this session should this work trigger anything for you.

We look forward to welcoming you.

#shareyourstory #griefawarenessweek2020