Writing Workshop leads to Restorative Interventions

By Laura Rook, Portsmouth Mediation Service. 

As part of some community research, my colleague and I organized a community writing workshop to creatively explore people’s experiences of conflict and any impact it may have had on their health and wellbeing.

We advertised it in the libraries and sent numerous emails. But in all honesty, we weren’t sure if anyone would come. We wondered… would people feel comfortable enough to write about their conflict experience with a group of strangers? To our surprise 15 people came. Over tea, cake and personal conflict stories the group connected. There was a real buzz in the room. A few individuals asked if there would be more writing workshops! I was so pleased with the response. This workshop certainly brought rich new knowledge and understanding around conflict and health. Yet it was one conversation at the end when everyone had gone, that has stuck with me.

One lady shared with me about the ongoing community conflict she was experiencing.

Her eyes welled up. For so long, she had been searching for help. She said to me that, “this workshop had been an answer to prayer.” I shared how Portsmouth Mediation Service would be willing to support her in finding a way forward. I could see the relief on her face – in that moment she knew she wasn’t alone, she had hope that this situation could be resolved.

It’s moments like these that remind me of the importance of sowing restorative seeds in all relationships – so that, along the way, at the right time, each person can find and choose a restorative path.