People's Postcode Lottery helps launch writing workshop
Tuesday 18 July 2017
Author and Maggie鈥檚 supporter Janet Ellis has helped us devise a creative writing workshop looking at language and cancer.
We鈥檝e been busy working with author and Maggie鈥檚 supporter Janet Ellis to help us devise a creative writing workshop looking at language and cancer.
With the theme the 鈥楶ower of Words鈥, the workshop has been developed for anyone living with cancer to explore ideas around positive and negative words, the role they play in an experience of cancer and how writing can help people come to terms with the emotions involved in a cancer diagnosis. Former Blue Peter presenter Janet hosted the pilot workshop at our West London Centre on National Writing Day on June 21st. The session had such positive feedback from those who took part we have decided that the workshop will be rolled out to all of our Centres across the UK.
Janet said:
As a writer, I believe in the power of words. The process of writing can be both cathartic and revealing. I am delighted to be involved in these workshops, backed by players of People鈥檚 Postcode Lottery, to explore the use of language, which will hopefully help the participants process their thoughts and emotions around cancer. It feels like a perfect compliment to the support Maggie鈥檚 offers.
The workshops are backed by players of . Since 2007 Maggie鈥檚 has received more than 拢9 million from players, a sum which plays a significant role in allowing us to provide our free programme of support designed to help people live well with cancer.
Our Chief Operating Officer, Ann-Louise Ward said:
The way we talk about cancer, not only in the media but amongst our friends and family and within the medical profession, can have an impact on people living with cancer.
Language matters and words mean something. They affect our subconscious. When it comes to cancer there seems to be a separate language including words like 鈥渇ight鈥, 鈥渟urvivor鈥 or 鈥渂e positive鈥 which are often quoted at people with cancer with detrimental effects. They can also make conversations with their nearest and dearest uncomfortable.
Maggie鈥檚 creative writing sessions, as well as many other aspects of our evidence-based programme of support, can help people to find the words that feel most comfortable for them and which most help them to express their feelings with ease.
I would like to thank Janet Ellis, and players of People鈥檚 Postcode Lottery, for helping us create this special workshop and raise awareness of the power that words can have when experiencing cancer.鈥
People鈥檚 Postcode Lottery has made a short film of the pilot workshop at our West London Centre; to watch please follow this .
More news from our centres
More...Get cancer support near you
To find your nearest Maggie's centre, enter your postcode or town below.