Creative Resources for Connection
Tactile and visual resources for storytelling, reflection, conversation and wellbeing
with original art and designs by Jolene Sheehan
30 years working in teaching, facilitation, storytelling and community settings have helped me develop a variety of ways to help people reflect, connect and share experiences. More recently, as my own art practice has developed, I have started bringing these two parts of my life together, creating tactile resources using my own artwork alongside photographs, symbols, questions, natural materials, wooden objects, games and elements of chance.
I've learned how an image, wooden tile or object can act as an anchor, creating a small sensory experience and giving somebody time to notice and respond before having to find words. It offers different ways into reflection and connection, including ways that don't depend entirely on language. I'm finding that what follows can be more grounded, personal and sometimes surprising that a verbal question, worksheet or flashcards.
What I'm developing
I am developing a growing family of resources. So far that includes Story Sparks, for storytelling and imagination; Connection Kits, exploring themes such as belonging and community; Space to Feel, for personal reflection and wellbeing; and Volunteer Support Kits, helping people explore strengths, confidence, contribution and support needs.
They offer different ways to participate: choosing, arranging, looking, handling, remembering, imagining, writing, speaking or simply listening. They are not activities that have to be completed correctly, but invitations that can lead somewhere.
My interest in tangible storytelling also connects with my work with the University of Manchester on object-based storytelling, and my ongoing work with Manchester Metropolitan University and Methods Manchester exploring clothing, fashion, memory and people's stories.
I'm particularly interested in what happens when there is something between people to notice, choose, hold or respond to. Sometimes an image, object or symbol gives us a way in that a question alone might not.
Tanya Shah, Gentle Steps Women's Movement Collective
Tanya Shah of Gentle Steps Women's Movement Collective in Whalley Range, Manchester has tested my Places, Belonging and Community Connection Kit with her group.
She found that the photographs allowed people to begin with “something concrete” before moving into more abstract conversations, and that having different ways of engaging was “one of the strongest aspects of the kit”. She also fed back that the group loved the accessible, high contrast images. Her constructive criticism about sentence length and complexity also helped me adjust my wording of the prompts to be more inclusive for those who use English as a second language.
The prompts opened up personal experiences, memories and perspectives, with people responding to each other and taking the conversation in unexpected directions.
Anne Delargy, Children's Creative Writing Club
Anne used Story Sparks with a group of 14 children aged 7 to 10. Each child began with an image card, before receiving an unexpected final image to help take their story somewhere new.
The cards gave the children something immediate to respond to and supported very different stories and ideas within the same activity.
“The children really engaged with the cards and produced some wonderful stories.” I will be working with this group more to include their ideas for other images and prompts to include.
Art, Faith and Wellbeing Hub
I have been developing and using resources regularly through the Art, Faith and Wellbeing Hub in Altrincham.
This has included developing a Volunteer Resource Kit with Nat, the volunteer mentor and other volunteers, using tactile and visual ways to explore strengths, contribution, confidence, support and people's experience of volunteering.
“There are so many different ways people could use these. I can see them really helping volunteers think about what they can do and what support they need.”
This kit can now be adapted to a variety of settings and I am already getting some interest.
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Stories of Our Lives
Stories of Our Lives, a group I have run for the past 7 years, has been a huge and happy influence in developing my creative approach to storytelling and connection.
Images, objects, questions and creative prompts give people different ways to remember, reflect and share stories, while allowing conversations to develop in directions I couldn't necessarily have planned beforehand. I have received lots of positive feedback during the sessions I have used these materials “You never quite know where one image or question is going to take the conversation.”
The group has also had plenty of input in terms of the designs and themes I have come up with, inspiring me to want to work with a range of groups to make these kits collaboratively created and truly inclusive.
Where next?
I am continuing to make, test and develop these resources with the people who use them. My aim is to create a growing collection of physical and downloadable resources, alongside straightforward guidance and training for community groups, facilitators and volunteers.
Interested in commisioning or testing the resources? Get in touch with me on jolene.joyethic@gmail.com