Author: jolenesheehan

In the ever-evolving narrative of our lives, the past and future co-exist in a delicate balance, each informing the other. Our recent ‘Oral Histories and Futures’ workshop, led by esteemed University of Manchester researchers Liz Ackerley and Laura Fenton, illustrated this interplay beautifully. They inspired us to go on a temporal journey, where we explored our personal histories tied to places that hold special meaning, to share and reflect collectively, and then to look thoughtfully toward what the future might hold.

At the workshop’s conclusion, we were presented with a variety of expressive pathways:

• Form a narrative about a memorable everyday place from your past.
• Pen a letter to the future, possibly addressed to a special location you have in mind.
• Create a tale that envisions the future of a particular place.
• Or, feel free to create something unique that the workshop/ theme sparks in you.

Inspired by these prompts, the following pieces of writing were created. Continue reading to enjoy our collective memories and forward-looking visions. We welcome you to add your voice to the conversation in the comments below. If you’re intrigued by Liz and Laura’s innovative work and methodologies, you can reach out to them at austerityalters@manchester.ac.uk or follow their updates at @austerityalters

Continue reading “Oral Histories and Futures storytelling” →

The most recent session of The Stories of Our Lives provided a beautiful contrast to the previous one. In June’s session, we discussed the numerous benefits of movement, while this month, we had the opportunity to reflect on the wonders of doing “nothing.” Join us as we delve into the meaningful thoughts that emerged from exploring this seemingly inactive state.

Continue reading “Contemplation and the Art of Doing Nothing” →

Sometimes though I have no clue where the theme for discussion will lead, I just know that it will be wonderful.  This month the group’s suggestion of Rainy Days was one of those occasions.  

We found that rain has so many associations that the conversation became an ever-deepening reservoir of ideas as they poured down from every direction. (Sorry, couldn’t help it).   

We talked about our personal and cultural relationship to rain, how it is a carrier of meaning and history, the literary and musical symbolism of it and we even created a playlist for you to share some of that richness of meaning https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2IwWWI6NjxMV08zZBCN5QM?si=e1f11f61748c4115

Read on to see some of the variety of thoughts that emerged….

Continue reading “Rainy Days” →

A number of The Stories Of Our Lives group helped me host an intergenerational event on the theme of Winters and Christmases past at Ascension Church Hulme recently, as part of Hulme’s Winter Fest event.

Continue reading “Winter and Christmas Intergenerational Story Exchange at Ascension Church Hulme” →

As a follow-up to our last theme for discussion, Small Joys, local visual artist, Su Vosper, came along to share her skills and inspiration with the group. You can listen to the audio of that previous meeting, shown in two parts below.

Su and I brought along a selection of materials for the group to experiment with as we explored how to express what brings us happiness, contentment and gratitude.

Continue reading “A Joyful Visual Arts Event!” →

The group shared two entertaining and meaningful sessions this month. The first was online where we enjoyed reflecting on then discussing our reading-related memories. Many laughs and coincidences emerged as well as some beautiful pieces of writing you can find below.

For the in-person session, which was part of the Chorlton Book Festival, we co-hosted with Professor Sophie Woodward. The event was sponsored by the NCRM (National Centre for Research Methods). As these beautiful photographs, taken by Rachel Bywater, show, it was a lovely, connecting afternoon, where guests and regular participants shared stories and thoughts on memories prompted by reading related objects. As one attendee said, “This is a place where stories can evolve, often in real-time. Where strangers can quickly become known to one another and find common ground by laughing and listening.”

Read on to see if any of your own memories of reading are evoked and to also see pictures of the objects on which our writing was based.

Continue reading “Reflections on Reading” →