Surviving by storytelling – a research through design exploration of online poetry and mental health workshops

Pearson, Mark; Rennick-Egglestone, Stefan; Foster, Helen; Holloway, Anne

Abstract

Background
The paper explores an online poetry and mental health project titled ‘Surviving by Storytelling’. The paper reflects on the knowledge which has been iteratively generated during the project and considers the unique challenges to delivering these workshops online.
Methods
Research through design (RtD) methodology was used to evaluate the project, which involved reflective discussions between workshop facilitators and a review of the artefacts generated throughout the project.
Results
The results revealed five themes: poetry workshops should be therapeutic, but not psychotherapy; creating a safe space for stories to breathe; facilitators should consider their positioning as writers or experts in relation to attendees; managing the potential harms of poetic exploration; and managing the loss of interpersonal symbols and spaces.
Conclusion
The provision of online poetry workshops on the topic of mental health can present unique complexities and the results from this paper can help to inform future practice.

Citation

Pearson, M., Rennick-Egglestone, S., Foster, H., & Holloway, A. (2024). Surviving by storytelling – a research through design exploration of online poetry and mental health workshops. Journal of Poetry Therapy, https://doi.org/10.1080/08893675.2024.2373221

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 22, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Jul 5, 2024
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2024
• Deposit Date: Jun 27, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 2, 2025
• Journal: Journal of Poetry Therapy
• Print ISSN: 0889-3675
• Electronic ISSN: 1567-2344
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/08893675.2024.2373221
• Keywords: Poetry, Creative Writing, Mental Health, Online workshop, Research through Design, Research through Art
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/36571767
• Additional Information: Peer Review Statement: The publishing and review policy for this title is described in its Aims & Scope.; Aim & Scope: http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=tjpt20; Received: 2023-05-21; Accepted: 2024-06-22; Published: 2024-07-05