The Knock community members have established a writing group for the benefit of family members (age 18+) of those who have committed sexual offences. The group is called Writing Strong in tribute to Brené Brown’s excellent book, Rising Strong.
The main aim of the group is to support each other to reach our writing goals (whatever they may be).
The creation of the group has been inspired by the number of family members in our community over the past three years who have a expressed a wish to put their experiences into writing.
Some don’t know where to begin, some have started writing but are not really sure which direction to take with it, and some are more established but wish to explore routes to publishing (anon or otherwise). Some may already be writers and wish to explore creative avenues for writing about the Knock.
The benefit to people attending the group will be to enhance and develop their own writing skills as well as to encourage each other.
I am offering this group for no fee because I understand the dire financial situation that family members are left in following the fallout of the Knock.
The benefit to myself is to maintain a connection with this wonderful community as well as to inspire me to continue with my own writing. In addition to this, I am passionate about supporting the emergence of a body of work related to our experiences in order to promote wider discussion within society of the hidden devastation that we endure. Of course, there is no obligation for members to wish to publish their work, or to share publicly. Sometimes it can be beneficial to write for ourselves, or to work on a particular writing skill.
Whilst my expertise is in fiction, blogging and nonfiction, the group is open to people wishing to write poetry, script, experimental forms too. Anything goes!
The only criteria to join is to be a family member of a person who has been convicted of a sexual offence, ideally past the sentencing and media stage of a loved one’s offending.
I have experience of co-facilitating a support group for family members for fourteen months. During this time I supported a variety of people in diverse circumstances, running the group on occasion single-handedly. I also have experience of supporting and signposting a large number of family members on a 1:1 basis and on forums over the past three years.
Therefore, I understand how vital it is that people are made aware of the support available from various organisations. I receive my own weekly therapy 1:1 from Circles South East.
The aim of the group is to talk about and focus on writing although where people are writing about their experiences, this may of course be triggering. I am very well aware of the huge trauma experienced by family members and how trauma impacts us, and therefore I am always mindful of what individuals have been through and may still be going through.
On this basis, I recommend that people who join the group are further along in their journey, ideally post-sentencing of a loved one, and post-media coverage, so that they are in a position to be able to consider writing about what they have been through without being exposed to the worry of what might be ahead based on the experience of others in the group.
Although I certainly won’t discriminate against anyone who is early on in the journey and really wishes to join, I can only advise that it may be triggering.
The introductory Zoom group took place in April, with the second session, about blogging, having taken place in May. Our June session featured special guest, Emma Wells, author of Unseen Victims. In our July session we discussed considerations when writing about trauma and how to protect ourselves. They were all successful sessions, and well-attended.
Sessions take place on a Saturday morning between 10:30-11:30am
We are excited to be welcoming author Michael Sheath to our first session back after summer break. It will be a great opportunity to hear about the evolution of Michael’s work, and to ask any questions.
23rd September: Guest Michael Sheath, author of Crossing the Line
In the following session, in October, we will have the opportunity to share some of our writing with the group, or to share a piece of work that has inspired us, or simply to come along and listen to and support others (no obligation to read out loud).
21st October: Showcase (opportunity to share our writing with the group).
Please get in touch by email if you’re interested in writing and have lived experience as a family member of someone who has sexually offended, and would like to join the writing group / be added to the mailing list. My email is anniehopewriter@gmail.com.
If anyone is worried about attending a group and meeting others, please be assured that your privacy will be protected and it’s a safe space. I’m happy to talk this through with anyone beforehand.
If you would like to come and trial out the group, please know you are welcome, and it would be lovely to see you. Why not come along on 23rd September to Michael Sheath’s talk? It will be a great way to ease into the group, at the same time hearing from a published author.
At this stage I am running just one group per month for family members of those who have sexually offended. I may look to expand provision in future to cater for additional groups.
As I have lived and voluntary experience of supporting family members of those who have sexually offended, my aim is support this group first and foremost. I have a good understanding of needs and concerns, and the distinct challenges faced.
For anyone who doesn’t meet the criteria to join Writing Strong, I am able offer 1:1 mentoring. My fee is £40 per hour, with generous concessions offered for students and those on a reduced income, depending upon individual circumstances. Please contact me by email: anniehopewriter@gmail.com
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