Are you a teenager between the ages of 13-18 with OCD?
OCD-UK are delighted to reintroduce a series of six 'one hour' online creative writing workshops specifically for teens with OCD.
The aim of these sessions are to help young people with OCD express their feelings and experiences of OCD.
If you think you can’t do creative writing – this is also for you! There is no need to have any experience of writing, just experience of yourself!
The workshops are carefully designed and lead by creative theatre practitioners and a counsellor. Guided exercises will encourage self-expression and imagination. It will be fun and supportive and being among peers who empathise, it will provide encouragement and understanding during this time.
Each week there will be a different stimulus to inspire a piece of expressive written work, giving the young people creative tools to use moving forward.
The weekly sessions are being facilitated by Laura and Kerry - two creative practitioners with over 40 years combined experience of working artistically with teens with and without mental health issues. They will be supported by our Children and Young People's lead, Zoe Wilson.
Laura Barnes
Laura is a regular volunteer with OCD-UK, she has run several of our annual teens work at the conference and facilitates an OCD support group in Swindon. Professionally Laura is a qualified secondary school teacher and now works freelance as a drama practitioner.
Laura works on a weekly basis at an inpatient unit for young people with mental health disorders using drama and games to empower and encourage them, she is a Director of a Performing Arts company (Revolution Performing Arts Rapport CIC) that specialises in working with vulnerable teens and uses performing arts as a mechanism for personal growth. She also works on several freelance projects both as a director and facilitator.
Laura is a recovered OCD sufferer.
Kerry Boorman
Kerry has focused her work on writing, facilitating and directing and has worked regionally, nationally and internationally on a wide range of projects. As well as running her own theatre school company she is Artistic Director of an Inclusive touring adult Theatre Company based in the South West.
Kerry is also a Qualified Counsellor with Advanced certification in counselling Children and Adolescents. she is a Registered member of the BACP.
Zoe Wilson
These workshops will also be supported by Zoe.
Zoe is the project lead for two projects at OCD-UK, one of them being the Children in Need Young Ambassadors project. The project enables OCD-UK to enrol 60 young people with a personal experience of OCD to join the team of Young Ambassadors.
The project gives young people the opportunity use their creativity to portray their experiences with OCD, connect with other young people with OCD, and become role models.
- Monday 2nd November 6PM - 7PM
- Monday 9th November 6PM - 7PM
- Monday 16th November 6PM - 7PM
- Monday 23rd November 6PM - 7PM
- Monday 30th November 6PM - 7PM
- Monday 7th December 6PM - 7PM
Attendance
It is very important that participants attend all of the six sessions listed. The reason for this is not only because it is important that participants do not fall behind with the activities and exercises, but it is also important that participants feel comfortable with one another. It can be difficult to maintain that comfort if there is inconsistency with attendance.
Camera
We do require that cameras are kept on for the duration of each workshop for security and safeguarding purposes. We completely understand that being on camera can often feel scary or overwhelming, and participants are more than welcome to have someone sit with them if this helps. There is no need to speak or share if participant does not want to, however, we do require that cameras are on. If you have any other queries or would like to discuss this, please do email zoe@ocduk.org who is happy to chat.
Anyone aged 13-18 years with OCD (with or without a formal diagnosis) can participate.
Participants will need an email address, a reliable internet connection, a microphone and camera.
