MONDAY, 19 JUNE, 2023

Photo opportunity: Tuesday, 20 June at 2.30pm,Slessor Gardens (beside the quiet gardens and icecream outlet), Dundee

Tayonline Creative Writing Group share a celebration of words!

Tayonline, a mixed long-term conditions group, will share some of their writing talents at Slessor Gardens in Dundee.

Tayside Healthcare Arts Trust’s (THAT) Tayonline a creative writing long-term conditions group met up and shared their writings as part of their final session sharing of the eight week summer programme in Slessor Gardens. The programme which is delivered online provides people across Tayside with an easy to access creative writing opportunity.

This year Author Sandra Ireland worked online with participants over two separate eight week session programmes. Sandra provided gentle prompts, on the spot writing tasks through a variety of written and visual prompts such as poetry, and videos which the group have positively embraced. The emphasis was to encourage participants to explore different writing techniques and to enjoy sharing their own written work through reading together. As the programme was delivered on line this is the first time the creative writing group have met face-to-face.

Sandra said, “I am absolutely amazed at the quality of the group’s written skills and it is really lovely to have time to bond well with everyone and see improvements in their confidence and ability. Everyone worked very hard and I look forward to doing more work with the group in the future.”

THAT development officer Karine Neill said, “Tayonline is making very positive improvements to people’s confidence and ability in writing and responding to creative visual prompts. This online programme runs three times a year. We have developed a strong bond with the participants and the programme has also helped people with social isolation. We are looking to secure further funding to continue this programme next year.”

Tayonline creative writing will resume again in autumn 2023. If you would like more information or would like to register for this creative writing group, please contact Karine Neill on 01382 835509 or email Karine.neill@nhs.scot

THAT promotes the therapeutic value of arts-based programmes to enhance quality of life, promote

social inclusion and empower an individual to make an important contribution to their health and wellbeing.

The programme is supported by The Big Lottery Community Fund, NHS Tayside Community Innovations Fund and THAT.

Contact:

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 424138