A weekend of creative exploration of taboo subjects of addiction, death and grief was a powerful and transforming experience, said poet Janet Lees, who hosted the event with Christina Thatcher.

It also illustrated how creative writing and discussion can help and heal troubling emotions and traumatic experiences, she added.

Events took place at Noa Bakehouse last weekend.

On Saturday, Janet and fellow poet Christina - who both have personal experience of addiction and loss and the healing power of creative writing - co-hosted a three-hour creative writing workshop on the theme of addiction and recovery.

’This workshop was one of the most powerful I have experienced,’ said Janet.

’I am in recovery myself, and Christina lost her father to addiction.

’The people who joined us have either experienced addiction themselves, or have lived with the addictions of close family members.

’The writing produced in those three hours was inspirational, and we shared the full range of emotions, from tears to real belly laughs.

’Equally valuable were the discussions in between the writing exercises.

’There is nothing more deeply connecting than being among people who have had a similar journey through life. Everyone was so supportive of and kind to each other.’

On Saturday evening, the ’Road to Recovery’ event opened with readings from Christina and Janet on addiction, grief, love and family, followed by an open mic at which a whole range of people stepped up to read work on the topic.

Janet said: ’We could not believe how many people wanted to share. These were powerful words, shared with honesty, from the heart.

’There was sorrow and loss, and there was joy and humour too.

’We went over our time at Noa, and we’re very grateful that they let us.

’We really wanted everyone to have the opportunity to share.’

On Sunday, they hosted a workshop entitled ’Into the Darkness: Death and Poetry’, in which the usual social taboos surrounding death were lifted.

’The session was a mix of writing activities, discussion of contemporary poetry and sharing, and again it proved to be a powerfully connecting and uplifting three hours. 

’The weekend really set the seal on my belief in the power of writing to heal,’ said Janet.

’This belief has grown over four years of hosting writing sessions at the Hub community project in Port Erin, where participants tell us time and again how much writing is helping them with anxiety, bereavement, pain - all kinds of different challenges.

’It’s clear there is a real therapeutic need for more of this in the island.

’What is called "social prescribing" of creativity for well being is booming in the UK and there are countless studies enumerating the benefits.

Writing can be particularly powerful, as words are our social currency.

People with depression for example may find it hard to talk about their challenges.

Writing gives them an alternative way in, and can open the door to new ways of thinking and experiencing the world.’