Bristol Relationships : Training Courses

08/01/2026

Don’t be a weatherworrier

05/01/2025

Women in Black Vigil for Gaza and all who are hurting, right now (12-1pm) College Green, Bristol and every Sunday

04/10/2023

Big up to this autistic person!

Research tells us people with autism have trouble making meaningful connections.

My son Jack is nineteen. He lives in a supported residential space.

Every week he makes dessert for all forty-four of the other students and staff.

He thumbs through books.

He watches YouTube videos.

Carefully, he chooses a recipe.

Then he makes a list. He goes to the grocery store. He selects the ingredients. He pays with his own money.

This week: strawberry pretzel salad with marshmallow topping.

In his own way, and in his own time, he is building his own kind of connections. It is something to behold.

"Mom. Everyone loved this one."

04/07/2023

Thinking about our Palestinian friends today. Painting by Sam Harp of Bristol Refugee Arrists Collective.

10/04/2023

Another useful reminder

I find these “Five Regrets of the Dying” both helpful and moving. How about you?

1. I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.

"This was the most common regret of all. When people realise that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled. Most people had not honoured even a half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was due to choices they had made, or not made. Health brings a freedom very few realise, until they no longer have it."

2. I wish I hadn't worked so hard.

"This came from every male patient that I nursed. They missed their children's youth and their partner's companionship. Women also spoke of this regret, but as most were from an older generation, many of the female patients had not been breadwinners. All of the men I nursed deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a work existence."

3. I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings.

"Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. As a result, they settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming. Many developed illnesses relating to the bitterness and resentment they carried as a result."

4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.

"Often they would not truly realise the full benefits of old friends until their dying weeks and it was not always possible to track them down. Many had become so caught up in their own lives that they had let golden friendships slip by over the years. There were many deep regrets about not giving friendships the time and effort that they deserved. Everyone misses their friends when they are dying."

5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.

"This is a surprisingly common one. Many did not realise until the end that happiness is a choice. They had stayed stuck in old patterns and habits. The so-called 'comfort' of familiarity overflowed into their emotions, as well as their physical lives. Fear of change had them pretending to others, and to their selves, that they were content, when deep within, they longed to laugh properly and have silliness in their life again."

What's your greatest regret so far, and what will you set out to achieve or change before you die?

20/09/2022

Two places left for this great course at Arvon in Totleigh Barton, Devon. I went last year. So good I’m going again this year… collect stories, tell stories, gather hope.

A five-day writing retreat in a beautiful rural setting offering creative and reflective space in which to rest, restore and reconnect with yourself and others.

08/03/2022

One space left on this day school.
In person workshop, Bristol UK: 26th March, 2022.
Want to meet interesting people and learn more about slow-stitching and writing for wellbeing for mental health and creativity? Come and join me and textile word artist, Melinda Schwakhofer for this all-day workshop to make Little Books of Your Life:

Little Books of Stories: Make Inspiring little pocket books using textiles, art and writing.

11/01/2022

Totally agree with this advice from social worker, Gary Direnfeld:

“Be mindful about telling and retelling your stories of distress or trauma.
As you continue to tell these stories you may inadvertently entrench yourself therein, keeping yourself in a dark place.
Instead, consider telling your examples of setting boundaries that resulted in being more self-protective; taking measured risks that provided reward; and self-care strategies that promoted your wellness. Entrench yourself in that which keeps you safe and helps you grow.”

It’s not easy to do but we need to ‘rearrange the chairs’ in our own heads in order to grow and develop.

04/12/2021

Jeez, all kinds of ugly!

Bristol deserves better, says the public body who advise on heritage and planning