Creating Rescue Contraptions: Making sense of loss

This is a free creative writing workshop for people who have experienced grief and bereavement.

This is the first of a series of three workshops facilitated by Joe Duggan running over September. This event is part of a series of creative events from The Loss Project's Covid-19 Response.

About the Facilitator

Originally from Northern Ireland, Joe Duggan has been writing since the late 90s, with his first full collection “Fizzbombs” published by Tall Lighthouse in 2008, with included work highly commended in The Forward Prize 2009 and featured in the Forward Book of Poetry 2010.

He has been published widely and enjoys performing on the London poetry scene, featuring at Latitude, Cheltenham Poetry Festival, the Southbank Centre, Cuirt Poetry Festival, Cheltenham Poetry Festival and a host of other venues.

A qualified primary school teacher, he is also an experienced creative writing facilitator, working in both school and community settings. In 2019 he delivered workshops with two South London hospices exploring how we can explore grief and compassion through writing. The same year, his show “Rescue Contraptions” (Attic Arts Club) with musician Declan Feenan explored how spoken words and poetry can help us make sense of grief and the challenges that life throws at us.

“Under the chatty vernacular is a lovely, casual sharpness, like an unexpected hot chilli in something sold as sweet. There’s power and tenderness together here.” Cherry Smith Poetry Editor BRAND MAGAZINE

“There’s a forgotten sector of society here that Duggan speaks directly to……As plain speaking and direct as poetry gets” VERBAL MAGAZINE

About The Loss Project

The Loss Project is a new initiative working across the UK and beyond aimed at connecting people in local communities through the experience of loss, death, dying or trauma.

We know that losses can come in various forms; the loss of independence, confidence, sense of self and of course, of loved ones. Our mission is to challenge the stigma and taboo of loss in its many forms, cutting through the barriers of difficult conversations and subjects that can often remain unspoken.

Through community conversations, social action and creative projects The Loss Project will aim to support communities to become more open and connected.

Joining Details

Once you've registered, you'll get a Zoom link nearer the time of the event which will include all the joining details. You'll be able to join via phone, tablet or laptop/ computer.

NB: We are not trained counsellors and this is not a group therapy session. There are other organisations that may be able to support you, should this be the type of support you need.

We look forward to welcoming you.