The Gentle Gathering – a safe space to land

We’re a friendly community group that provides free and low-cost creative and wellbeing sessions for people living with conditions like endometriosis, adenomyosis, PCOS/PMOS, Premature Ovarian Failure/Insufficiency and Fibroids.

Our facilitators are Lauran, an artist with a background in running community creativity workshops and an MA in Arts, Health and Wellbeing, and me! I’m Holly, a Therapeutic Coach and EFT Practitioner, trained in supporting people living with long-term and fatigue related conditions. I’m also a creative person with a degree in Art History and a background in museum/heritage community engagement.

Both Lauran and I live with endometriosis and chronic fatigue so we bring our personal experience and compassion to every session.

Our mission at Gentle Gathering is to create a warm and welcoming space for women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) who are navigating these health journeys. We believe in the power of creativity to dispel myths about ‘women’s health’, advocate for better treatments and offer a safe place to find support and respite from our challenges.

Every Sunday morning we offer either an in-person creative or wellbeing session in Worcester, or an online book club session (online session is usually the first Sunday of the month). In-person sessions are currently held at Kyndfolk, Waterworks Road, Worcester, WR1 3EZ, UK

During our creative sessions with Lauran we have been working on fabric books which will tell the story of living our lives with chronic illnesses as our constant companion. Previously we have created and exhibited weavings relating to our experiences of endometriosis. Last Autumn/Winter we made seasonal crafts such a wreaths, ghostly clay tealights and pompom rugs.

Since January I have been leading the group in wellbeing sessions once a month. We have been exploring our nervous systems by understanding the impact of chronic stress and how we can support ourselves to move into a healing state. Just by turning up at the sessions, the participants are improving their wellbeing through connection and creativity. We’ve seen participants grow in confidence, through travelling to sessions, learning new craft skills and sharing about their experiences during wellbeing sessions.

On 9th August we will be exhibiting with the Worcester Craftivists at the Worcester Show – come along and meet us there if you’re in the area!