Maternal Journalling in York
with For Modern Mothers
CREATIVITY & CONNECTION
A SERIES OF IN PERSON SESSIONS, HELPING MOTHERS, BIRTHING PEOPLE AND PREGNANT FOLK PEOPLE COME TOGETHER AND CREATE STUFF IN A POSITIVE, UPLIFTING AND FUN WAY. BRINGING CREATIVITY, WELLBEING AND COMMUNITY TOGETHER FOR MOTHERS IN AND AROUND YORK.
These sessions are inclusive, supportive and fun. Join together to have time and space for you (for once!). We’ll doodle, draw, collage, colour in, write and journal alongside connecting and chatting with other local mothers, birthing people and pregnant folk in a supportive, friendly and welcoming space. These sessions are run by me, Susan Bradley, who has many years of experience both in creating mother-focused groups & community and is also an award-wining designer and creative director (see my creative website here)
These sessions are an inclusive and safe space for anyone who has experienced pregnancy, given birth, identifies as a mother or as a woman or non-binary carer. I use the term ‘mother’ to mean all of those things.
A class dedicated to motherhood
Motherhood can be amazing, and also amazingly challenging. Often in unexpected ways, or at unexpected times.
Our culture gives little acknowledgement to this massive shift and change in who we are (mentally, emotionally, hormonally, and physically). It’s a process called Matrescence - but most people have never even heard that word! Yet all mothers go though it - Matrescence is the transition to motherhood, and it can take many years.
We're expected to casually stroll into motherhood, trying to keep a tiny human alive, to keep it all together, whilst trying to get our heads around who we are and what’s going on and keep our new emotions in check. It’s a big ask, and it’s exhausting. And where is the support? All the ‘baby classes’ tend to focus on the baby. That’s why a class and coming together of mothers for themselves is so important.
That is the exact point of these sessions. They are a chance to focus on you, and to use creative practices and techniques (all super simple I promise - no you don’t have to consider yourself as ‘creative’ or ‘artistic’ - this is not about labels) to help you find your way in your new role as a mother and navigate the challenges in supportive community.
Benefits of creative journaling for mothers
Creative journalling together in pregnancy and motherhood can help you in so many ways…
Creative journaling is well-known for its positive benefits on mental health and wellbeing.
Creative Journaling is simple, and anyone can do it with some gentle guidance and support.
Creative Journaling gives you the chance to check in on good days and bad days and put things into perspective.
Creative Journaling brings support and encouragement, similar to women’s making circles throughout history. It creates space for sharing your work (if you want to) and connecting over similar shared experiences It can create powerful, supportive community. And that is hugely powerful.
Creative Journaling has played a big part in the history of women's creativity and self expression. Artists like Frida Kahlo and Virginia Woolf were journalers and diarists, noting their thoughts down on paper with writing and pictures. So there’s huge inspiration there, it can be very empowering to journal and also connects you to this feminist tradition.
Creative Journaling is something for you - when everything around you seems solely baby focussed
Creative Journaling can fit it in around your hectic parenting schedule.
Creative Journaling is a simple creative outlet at a time when you can most need that outlet.
Creative Journalling for Maternal Wellbeing Sessions
What we’ll do…
Join us for a little haven of creativity and space for you at this pivotal time.
It really doesn't matter if you haven't journaled before or think of yourself as ‘creative’ in any way. Don’t worry about that – we are all creative, and you will find a style that works for you.
In these workshops I’ll share with you creative tools and techniques from doodling, to collage, to writing, to creative list making to poetry. If you can hold a pencil then you can do it all - I promise!
All with the aim to support you with the huge changes, the joys and the challenges of Matrescence - as we journey through in pregnancy, birth and motherhood.
Each week there will be a simple step-by-step creative journalling activity for you. It will be fun, welcoming and inclusive to all. All the materials are included, and you’ll get to take your journal home as a document of your journey and to add to it between sessions and after the course if you want to.
Plus you’ll get a cuppa and biscuits too. Yes!
All classes are suitable for all anyone who is pregnant now or is a mother* You can attend in pregnancy at anytime, or after you babies birth anytime afterwards (as soon as you are ready to leave the house, or if you child is no longer a baby!). Babes in arms are very welcome to come along - of course. As are other children - but please bring toys etc to keep them happy (the activities are not themselves for children).
These session are run as a branch of Maternal Journal, and we’ll use their creative activities as a basis for the sessions.
Weekly sessions - Autumn 2023
Where…
TUESDAYS // 1pm to 2.30pm // at The Poppleton Centre, Upper Poppleton, York YO26 6JT
(free large carpark at venue)
upcoming DATES…
September & October 2023
Cost…
Session are booked by the block/term, the cost is £9 per session. Some subsidised places are available, please ask if this would be helpful to you.
This includes ALL art materials, a journal for you, and a brew, biscuits and chocolate to keep you going too!
There will also be an optional private online Facebook community created too, so you can connect with the others on your sessions between sessions and afterwards too if you want to.
If cost is a barrier to attendance then let me know as I will be offering a number of subsidised places too.
Any questions?
Then simply drop me an email - susan@formodernmother.com
FAQ’s
Do I have to be creative?
Nope. If you can hold a pencil then you can do it all!The classes are here for everyone, whether you think of yourself as ‘artistic’ or ‘creative’ or not. I firmly believe that motherhood itself is the ultimate creative act. So you’re already there!
The main essence of these workshops is time for you to play, explore and to be in a wonderful community atmosphere that provides emotional and wellbeing support. The sessions are friendly, fun and very easy going within a safe and nurturing environment.
Do I bring my baby?
Yes if you have a baby that’s not yet on the move absolutely bring your baby along. If you are pregnant bring your bump, and if you child is older then come solo. All warmly welcomed.
If you have a baby do not worry or stress about feeding baby, about baby crying or being vocal or if you need to change your baby. All of this is normal and welcome. Come as you are!
What about older children?
You can bring older children, but you must be able to keep them entertained and safe. And please remember that there will be scissors and paint around that’s not for children - so you’ll need to keep them safe. Plus there will be small babies, who also need to be kept safe too. If you are unsure please contact me in advance, as refunds will not be made if you cannot attend.
Who are the classes for?
Open to pregnant folk and anyone who has had a baby (from as soon as you feel ready to leave the house onwards. No end point to this).
This is an inclusive and safe space for anyone who has experienced pregnancy, given birth, identifies as a mother or as a woman or non-binary carer. Everyone warmly welcomed..
Other questions?
If you have any questions at all do simply contact me by email susan@formodernmothers.com or head to my contact page to get in touch
About your creative journalling leader…
Hello I’m Susan. I’m a mother, a creative director, award-winning designer, and a creator of community for mothers and mothers-to-be in York, UK.
I hold spaces for women through their transition to motherhood in a variety of ways - yoga, breath work and meditation classes and workshops. As well as trained in birth listening and reflecting, birth trauma support and I am a doula too.
With these workshops I will be combining my expertise a successful and award-winning creative designer, with my knowledge and expertise working with mothers and pregnant people is bring you these supportive, relaxed, fun and community connecting workshops. Using creative journalling to help your journey through Matrescence, to find your new identity, to help support you through the ups and downs of pregnancy and motherhood together.
Find out more about my award-winning creative career here - www.susanbradley.co.uk (website being updated currently)
Find out more about my work supporting mothers here on the website you’re on right now!
Feedback from my previous motherhood classes & workshops…
“Your classes have been amazing and really helped me navigate becoming a first time mum. You’ve created such a welcoming and supportive space, and it’s great that you raise so many of the important (and often undiscussed) issues, and challenge the status quo. Please keep doing what you’re doing!”
“I’ve been to a number of mum and baby classes through the first year and none were as friendly or supportive as yours Susan. Thank you so much”
“we wanted to say thank you for creating your groups and helping us find our way into motherhood. The support has meant everything to me, and helped me and my baby sooo much. The group has also lead us to make some amazing new friends and has helped not to feel alone.”
“ Susan has created such a warm, easy and friendly space for all of us when we need it the most. She is just so supportive and full knowledge you can tell her whole heart is in this. Thank you💛 ”
“I find it such a supportive lovely group and great for making friends so thank you very much for creating this.”
“It’s been my favourite class to attend each week helping my recovery after birth and mental health too. And J has enjoyed seeing the other babies so much.”
“Thanks so much, we really enjoyed coming to the classes. You are a great support for women during this crazy rollercoaster ride of motherhood- so Thank you! ”
“I honestly cannot tell you what these classes have meant to me. In both body and mind I have grown so much, The support that you give in these classes is something so special”