tether / tend: A Reflective Workshop for Helpers, Carers and Space-holders

Together, we will use creative symbolism and visualisation to explore our relationships with the helping roles we inhabit in life. This is an invitation to be alongside others whilst we navigate our emotional landscapes.

Being a helper, carer or space-holder can look many different ways, and impact people's lives uniquely. Often, the energy we give to others is grounded in necessity or a desire to be a part of meaningful change in some way. Those of us in these roles are especially prone to burnout and a sense of disconnection from self. Often, we are advised to self-care, 'fill our cup' and put ourselves first - all well-meaning advice - but it is rare that we have the opportunity to attune to our emotional experience without an urgency to fix it.

This workshop offers a reflective and nurturing space for those interested in embracing the complexity of their experience as a helper. We'll make room for the emotional and felt aspects of helping - those that are often sidelined - and carve out some time to really hear them. There will opportunities to share reflections within the group as well as moments for introspection.

Whilst the agenda is not to solve or try to "fix" difficult emotions - I hope that this will be an opportunity to pause, attune to our own inner resources and offer care and presence to each other. There is no requirement for prior experience in reflective practice, grounding or visualisation - just the willingness to participate and be open to the experience.

tether / tend welcomes adults (18+) of all identities, backgrounds, (dis)ability, race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexuality, and ages. If you have any accessibility requirements, please feel free to reach out- I will do my best to accommodate these wherever possible. Peneul Lane Stiwdios is fully on the ground floor, and has accessible, gender neutral toilets.

Please note: tether/tend workshops are reflective, mutual care spaces and are not therapy or a substitute for mental health support, nor are they appropriate for crisis or urgent care needs.

If you have any questions - please feel free to email Amber on [email protected]

Agenda:

• Welcome, tea and introductions
• Guided process with symbolic reflection cards - "how are you arriving?" & invitation to share
• Guided Grounding Visualisation Exercise - Exploring our relationships with 'helping' and the things we carry
• Introspective reflection & invitation to share
• Guided process with symbolic reflection cards - "identifying our inner resources" & invitation to share
• Sensory Grounding & Closure

About the Facilitator:

Hi, I'm Amber and I'll be facilitating this Tether/Tend workshop. I'm a Pluralistic Counsellor with a love for helping others explore and become more familiar with their inner landscapes. I centre co-creation, creativity and curiosity in my approach - and I feel especially privileged to be alongside people during the messy, imperfect parts of self discovery.

Tether/Tend grew from a desire to create shared spaces for reflection and exploration in community, beyond formal therapy. I see myself as a participant in this space, supporting the cultivation of collective wisdom within our community.

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Host or Publisher Amber Efstathiou