New! Peer Support Group – Creative Mothers Project, Leeds
We’re setting up a Peer Support Group for creative women who are mothers. This includes women who are creative in any way: artists, women who make things, run creative businesses or what to start one, women who think creatively and want to begin or resume making things.
Our first meeting will be 10.30am-1pm on Friday 15th June at Aire Place Studios, Leeds – we plan to meet every other Friday in term time.
We need to know numbers so please register your interest by completing the contact form below and we’ll be in touch!
Due to the nature of the group it will best suit women who are able to attend without children. For mothers with very young children we run a sister group on alternate Fridays at Aire Place Studios where mothers and children attend together so please get in touch if you’d like to know more.
We hope you’ll come along and see if this is for you!
Contact the curator
Who is eligible for this opportunity?
The group is aimed at creative women who are mothers/carers. By creative we mean any woman who thinks, dreams, makes, aspires to be creative across all forms, whether professionally, at home, covertly, openly. We hope to create a space that inclusively celebrates and asserts our individual and collective courage, compassion and creativity as women who are mothers.
Due to space available at the venue we'd really benefit from knowing numbers so please drop us an email with your name and contact details or get in touch via the Facebook page to let us know you'll be attending. Depending on the level of interest we may need to limit the number of members, if this is the case, places will be assigned on a first come, first served basis.
How much does it cost?
This is a new endeavour run on a voluntary basis so we ask for a £5 contribution from participants each week. This is to cover the cost of a few refreshments, resources (flipchart, pens, paper, stickies) and a contribution towards overheads of using the space. But please do let us know if this contribution would present a barrier to attending.
Does the location have disabled access?
There is limited parking on site at APS, for access information please visit www.aireplacestudios.com/accessibility/ or email info@aireplacestudios.com
Who are Creative Mothers Project?
We are a collective of mother artists. Together we support each other to continue to work creatively whilst inspiring and caring for our children. Our mission is to provide a safe, welcoming and practical environment - where mothers and pregnant women can continue with their creative practice and in turn retain financial and emotional independence free from isolation. Our studio spaces allow our members to benefit from well-equipped co-working spaces, shared childcare, exhibition space, networking and creative development opportunities. We’ll provide practical, creative, business and emotional support for one another as we balance both work and motherhood.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/creativemothersproject
What is Peer Support?
Peer support is when people agree to meet to support each other by sharing their experiences. It simply means a group of people (peers) with equal status coming together with a shared focus and a set of agreed principles and/or aspirations. An essential part of peer support is the mutual respect given to each other and the equal value given to individual voices and experience. It provides a space to both share our experiences and listen to others. Peer Support can run on informal or formal models.
How will the group be run?
At the Creative Mothers Project we would like to adopt a formal approach to peer support whereby the group commits to working in 'rounds' - a method of everyone speaking one at a time, in turn - as this helps to ensure that all group members are given equal space to speak and be heard. This is based on training undertaken with Leeds Mind and the early sessions will give members a chance to explore and practice this process and see if it feels right for them. The group will be co-ordinated on a voluntary basis by the Facilitator who will also contribute to the group as an equal. As the group forms, members will have the opportunity to agree a set of ground rules and identify themes and areas for discussion over the coming weeks.
Who will co-ordinate and facilitate the group?
The group will be facilitated by Pamela Crowe. I am a Creative Practitioner delivering contemporary art workshops and I completed Peer Support Facilitator training with Leeds Mind and Women's Counselling and Therapy Service in 2016. I will be using these skills to organise, steer and support the group and facilitate the sessions each week. In peer support there are no leaders, we are all equals so I will contribute and share with the group as a member.
