"Sometimes all you can do is say thank you for sharing" - exploring the complexities facilitating creative writing groups for well-being.

Abstract

Aims: Facilitated poetry and creative writing groups are regularly commissioned in the UK and funded by a range of organisations, including national arts funders. Some groups are explicitly organised with the purpose of supporting well-being. This research explores the experiences of people who facilitate creative writing groups intended to support well-being.

Methods: A focus group was conducted with six expert facilitators who between them had experience in facilitating creative writing groups across a variety of settings, focusing on well-being. Thematic analysis of the transcripts was conducted.

Findings: Three themes were identified: personal connection to facilitation work, dynamic changes in emotional state and expression, and influence of funder demands on facilitation practices. Facilitators were often drawn to the work because of a personal connection to using the process of writing as a tool to support well-being. However, poetry and creative writing groups can foster dynamic changes in mental and emotional state in response to writing prompts and exercises, and facilitators report a lack of training and support to enable them to manage the demands of their work.

Conclusions: Facilitators of poetry and creative writing groups work within highly emotive environments. Organisations commissioning writing groups focusing on well-being, including national funders, should consider facilitator training needs and to ensure that projects have adequate time, resources, and training. Training offers should not compromise facilitation practice, including by imposing clinical understandings of mental health and risk management.