Rise to Thrive so far 2024 – with Rural Arts

We’ve just finished three months working with Rural Arts as part of our partnership with Rise 2 Thrive.

Our first session took us to the James Herriot Museum where we explored the theme of ageing. We concentrated on story telling and picked out artefacts, furniture, paintings and items that resonated with our own personal stories.

We then had another two sessions with Rural Arts, each time, a month apart. This allowed ideas, images and feelings to percolate.

Kate messaged me;. “I’m absolutely overflowing with creative mojo since our session this morning and have felt so uplifted and positive since then”

In session two we visited Thirsk Church. This was an intense session full of organic discussion where we shared experience, particularly in relation to the difficulties around masking thoughts, feelings and emotions for a good part of our lives. I share with the group from an early stage the difficulties I’ve faced. Many of my stories centre around neurodiversity and my challenges, particularly in school where I felt forced to conform to the norm or act in a certain way; (a neurotypical way).

Has the education system changed in thirty years? Not enough.

It’s truly exhausting.

This is why being part of a project like Rise 2 Thrive is so empowering – we are able to tell our stories in a safe space.

I’ve said time and time again, therapeutic photography has helped me so much in celebrating my identity.

Our third and final session was a recap and exploration around our perception of beauty. Here’s some feedback

At the moment we’re working with The Orb and New Beginnings.