A weekend of creative exploration of ’taboo’ subjects including addiction, death and grief will take place at Noa Bakehouse, in Douglas, next month.

Events are led by two women - poets Christina Thatcher and Janet Lees - who have personal experience of addiction and loss and the healing power of creative writing.

Christina, a part-time teacher and PhD student at Cardiff University, said: ’We are all in recovery from something. I lost my own father to a drug addiction and following his death, the sense of isolation made it difficult to do ordinary things like go to work, buy groceries and sleep.

’For me, reading and writing poetry brought much-needed comfort by letting me know I was not alone in my grief.

’I am delighted to be able to run these events with Janet, giving the community the opportunity to come together and share their own struggles and recovery journey.’

Christina is studying how creative writing can impact the lives of people bereaved by addiction. She has won poetry competitions and is the poetry editor for the Cardiff Review.

Local poet Janet said: ’As someone with personal experience of addiction and recovery as well as deep bereavement, I know how valuable it can be to explore and express the darker emotions through creative writing.

’Addiction is something that touches so many families, and we all experience loss in some form. These things actually connect us as the deepest level, and yet they are still essentially taboo subjects.

’We’re grateful to the Isle of Man Arts Council for giving us the opportunity to lift these taboos.’

After eight years of recovery, in 2011 Janet rediscovered her love of poetry and took an MA in creative writing, graduating with distinction. Her poetry has since won prizes in many competitions, some international, and she is widely published and anthologised.

Janet also runs creative writing workshops at The Hub in Port Erin. She is currently training in person-centred psychotherapy at MSc level.

On Saturday, April 14, from 3pm to 6pm, there is a creative writing workshop on addiction and recovery.

Exclusively for those in recovery or with addiction issues, it’s an opportunity for them to reflect on their lives, as well as their experience of addiction and/or recovery.

Participants will be invited to read and discuss contemporary writing, produce their own creative pieces and share their work in a warm and supportive private space. The workshop is free but places need to be booked in advance.

Starting at 8pm on the Saturday, the ’Road to Recovery’ is a reading and open mic event with readings on addiction, grief, love and family from Christina and Janet, followed by an open mic for anyone who’d like to read work related to the topic. This event is free. Everyone is welcome.

On Sunday, April 15m from 3pm to 6pm, ’Into the Darkness: Death and Poetry’ is a writing workshop exploring the dark emotions everyone experiences at some time, providing a safe, supportive space to discuss death and write about fear, grief and loss.

Participants will read and discuss contemporary poetry, and have the opportunity to produce their own work.

The workshop costs £20. Booking is essential.

â?¢ To book a place contact Janet on 470941 or [email protected]