Re-Emerge Maternal Journal Wakefield Zine July 2022

Celebrating Motherhood Maternal Journal is one strand of the Re-Emerge Arts and Health programme, coordinated by The Art House, which provides opportunities for people to meet others, share experiences and engage in creative activity for wellbeing.

Since January 2022, weekly Maternal Journal workshops have been taking place at The Art House and other locations in Wakefield district.

Techniques include poetry, drawing, painting, collage and printmaking.

Created by Laura Godrey-Isaacs with Samantha McGowan, Maternal Journal uses creative tools and techniques to support the huge changes, joys and challenges experienced in pregnancy, birth and parenthood.

This zine features artwork and words by the Maternal Journal Wakefield district groups.

The Re-Emerge Arts and Health programme is possible thanks to funding from Leeds Hospitals Charity and NHS Charities Together. The zine and Artwalk public exhibition were funded by the University of Sheffield.

At journaling, you’re not just someone’s mum.

You are an adult, an individual, someone creative, someone intelligent, someone with ideas.

You have a story to tell, something to contribute. You have an identity.

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For a while after you have a baby, despite all the intense feelings of joy, you can feel your horizons narrowing and your brain not functioning.

Every spare ounce of energy goes into looking after your little one.

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It allows you to celebrate motherhood - the highs and the lows - in a safe space.

It helps you to work through complex feelings, so you can see there is hope, there is light, there is a future.

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I have met lots of different mums and we have all had incredible opportunities to write poetry, paint, and have a go at ceramics, printmaking and embroidery.

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It’s lovely to be surrounded by like-minded people and know that you are not alone.

You feel stronger being united by a common purpose.

To find out more about taking part, or referring someone who would benefit, contact: diane@the-arthouse.org.uk 01924 312000 www.the-arthouse.org.uk