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A new book, Finding My Own Way, written by women in the Barossa Valley experiencing social isolation, mental health problems or domestic violence will be launched today.
Dr Lynn Arnold, Anglicare SA Chief Executive and Russell Deal from St Luke's Innovative Resources in Victoria will launch the new book which contains creative writing and poetry pieces produced by clients of Anglicare’s Family Support Program and Barossa Area Health.
The pieces in the book were collected from a series of ten-week courses, which used creative writing as a therapeutic tool to empower women.
Anglicare SA and Barossa Area Health workers have arranged publication of these moving and evocative pieces to provide other women with the inspiration to share their experiences through creative writing.
“The process of being ‘free to write’ has been very powerful and the program has achieved amazing outcomes for the women, who have continued to write even after the conclusion of the course,” said Dr Arnold.
“The quality of the work for people who have no history of writing is truly amazing. The women felt so passionate about the positive experience they had in sharing their writing, that they wanted to provide other women with an opportunity to do the same.”
The book will be available free as a therapeutic resource across South Australia through libraries, doctors’ surgeries, area health offices and Anglicare.
When: Wednesday 21 April
11am-1pm (Photo opportunity at 11am)
Where: Joy Rice Centre, The Lodge
14 Scholz Avenue, Nuriootpa
Women involved in the project will be available for comments and pictures.
Notes to Editor:
• The Family Support Program of Anglicare, in partnership with Country Health SA, has been running creative writing groups called Free to Write in the Barossa Valley and hundred of women have participated.
• The publishing project has been funded through a Country Health SA grant, with some pro-bono help in graphic design and illustrations from students at the University of South Australia.
• The book has been published by Anglicare SA and Barossa Area Health and presents the women’s' experiences. It provides a template through which readers can develop their own creative writing projects.
Contact: Sophie Larsen. 0458 458 076 or (08) 8305 9296
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