Help Develop Community Focused Wellbeing Groups Writing Well

Hello there, my name is Paula Anne, and I am growing a hobby, a writing and publishing consultancy in Louth, Lincolnshire, called Busy Corner Books, into a business and an accessible creative writing wellbeing community. The websites are www.busycornerbooks.com and www.writingwell.net (Im currently studying full time distance learning at university and need to give time to updating the website soon.

Following a life changing accident 3rd August 2023 needing emergency reconstruction surgery (I broke so many bones in a fall), I experienced the isolation and vulnerabilities that a person can have when their independence is threatened or taken away.

However, I chose to use this change as a motivational springboard, and deliver Writing Well into our community, and get business advice about Busy Corner Books.

When the medical team suggested I get a wheelchair following the accident, I pretended I didn’t hear, and continually pushed myself every single day. From being stuck on a bed for months, to literally dragging myself towards the edge, I finally managed to get my legs working again.

I am a little bionic as a result of the accident: a few metal connections and implants, however, things are improving. I often need a stick and have frequently physical mobility problems.

But isolation and loneliness was a difficult thing to face during those times. Never, after training in the 1990s as a counsellor with psychotherapy skills, did I imagine my reaction to this life change. You would maybe think if someone had been through a 7-year personal and professional transformation, they would be able to cope with a few broken bones and surgeries. However, it was yet again another one of those lifetime transitions most of us face in some form or another. It depends on how we choose to take learnings and wisdom from experience. It really shook who I was as a person. Like my confidence had been smashed to pieces - life was never going to be the same again, and even to this day, having to ask for physical help really gets to me.

Eventually, recovery brought out the kind of woman who says ‘yes’ to more opportunities. Plus the fear of pushing and asking to develop a dream, had disappeared. I grew from strength to strength – this dream is going to work! I was evolving, with a walking stick!

So, my first step, already having the experience of writing and publishing, I dared myself to go back to study a Masters at university. A 57-year-old woman, albeit bionic, studying an MA in Creative Writing, and getting surprising feedback from assignments.

To take things further, I had always wanted to go back to writers’ groups and share my passion of writing with others. But I couldn’t find a nearby face to face group, (everything was 'online') nor one with an atmosphere where I could feel comfortable being my true self. I still felt vulnerable. I wanted a safe sense of community where a group could really true one another. Plus I wanted to share my experience in writing and publishing. Reach those who would otherwise not be given the opportunity.

Writing Well, that’s, www.writingwell.net was born through my wanting something more and wanting to offer more. A safe haven for people to write and develop their true voice, without fear of judgment or ridicule. Without fear of not being good enough, and knowing that everything is treated in confidence. Only promotion of empowerment, as an individual, to help and person develop as a writer at whatever level of experience.

It's one thing wanting to write, but another writing as a person comfortable within one's own skin. This group was going to be for me as well as attendees - I would facilitate, like Carl Rogers gave space for his clients to discover their true selves. I wanted to help people grow and flourish.

Along the way there have been some wonderful people who have offered lots of support and encouragement. For that I am really grateful. I continue to grow and develop Writing Well, things seem to be working, with passion and drive, I love bringing people together. It feels like I am creating a family.

In the past, I have facilitated therapy, writing, and mediation groups. Plus, as I say, around 15 years ago, I began my huge learning curve in the writing and publication process - taking the written word right through to a published product and into the shops - wearing several different hats (a writer, an editor, a proof reader, a beta reader, a publisher, a marketeer - as many new authors discover, there are many roles in becoming a successful author and publisher.) I have also provided help and support to other writers and authors; including mentoring as they reach goals, as they navigate through their own journey towards success.

Post accident, and post-covid, I volunteered for MIND and a Women's Charity in Yorkshire, offering my help as a therapist. Plus, after 3/4 training in Spiritual Accompaniment and Lay Ministry, I once volunteered for the Lincoln Diocese for a while. Plus, in the background, over those two decades, I have supported my partner in his psychotherapy business through both administration, website content and writing blogs, scripts and articles. I even once had the opportunity to meet Danny Boyle and Rosario Dawson, plus train in a stand-up comedy course with Paul Silkie at Laugh at Leeds. That was interesting. Life's mishaps can be filled with laughter.

I’m getting to the stage with university fees, setting up costs, expenses and Writing Well costs, that debts are concerning. There’s only so much I can give when on low income, claiming disability benefits and only so much credit available on cards. But that’s my fault. The financial consequences are starting to outweigh the ability to take Writing Well and Busy Corner Books forward. I know this is going to work. But it takes money or funding to kick start things. Ive had none of this and taken out loans and credit cards to try and get everything going.

I certainly don't want to give up on this new venture now. At the moment, due to feeling overwhelmed with my dad having cancer, needing to sell my home abd go into rented, and getting a work/life balance with physical limitations, Im taking a break until September 2025. But the Members are in touch through our cosy boundaried WhatsApp group.

When I have facilitated groups, the change in attendee’s demeanor has been lovely to see. I’ve even had members say, ‘I love my Writing Well, it the time for me – my time!’.

The thing is, I can’t reach everyone in Lincolnshire (and surrounding areas) who would like to be part of Writing Well (I have a list of interested people from different areas). 1. Because I’m physically limited due to being bionic, and only one person. And 2. There’s not enough money to hire venues and join ethical organisations and pay for expenses and disclosure checks etc. So, for the moment, I’m trying not to get into more debt, working hard at university, pacing my physical abilities, and planning ahead on paper. I feel its important to make these groups accessible to everyone.

We are currently running a successful group in Louth. Horncastle has a waiting list, and we continue to receive inquiries for other locations. These face-to-face groups are held every 2 weeks. We have been asked to deliver groups in Alford, Cleethorpes, South Lincolnshire, Boston, Lincoln, North Lincolnshire. Plus, requests for outside of Lincolnshire. It would be great to be able to bring all this to the community. It feels like I am giving back the help received during my recovery. Plus, it all feels so very exciting.

I would love to be able to provide opportunities for those who want to be involved. Maybe, potentially, paid work. But that would be another funding area, and in the distant future.

Writing Well is unique! There is nothing quite like Writing Well in Lincolnshire. I do love facilitating groups, creating writing exercises that not only improve well-being but also help people to discover and improve their unique voice. There is real value in learning how to process feelings through the written word. Having done this myself many times, I have grown a cathartic empathy and sensitivity to people’s needs.

I just want to share, encourage and empower people to be independent and discover more about their true selves in an ethical and safe environment.

Sooner or later we will receive funding. In the meantime we really could do with a little financial support. Im hopefully going to gather enough money to provide Continuing Professional Development online courses or one to one teams appointments through an ethical platform www cpduk.co.uk. But to be registered is around £1,500 per year. Everything costs money!

Also, im hopefully going to start providing pop up workshops from the Autumn. Again this needs set up costs.

I honestly and truthfully would appreciate any help whatsoever.

If you have contributed in any way so far, from the bottom of my heart, I say ‘thank you’. Writing Well is going to work. So is Busy Corner Books. Now at age of 58, the next 10 years feel like they are going to be my most important years in my life to contribute something into the society.

Please support my Mission

Thank you in advance.

Warmest regards,

Paula Anne Thwaite.

www.writingwell.net

www.busycornerbooks.com