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The Ealing Writing Trail’s scavenger hunt kicked off on Sunday 01 May 2022.

 You too can take part in the hunt any day in the month of May! Find all 13 clues for your chance to win prizes! Remember your quest: You’re in it to win it!

The hunting hours are:
Monday – Saturday from 9.30AM – 5PM
Sunday from 11.30AM – 5PM

For more details about the scavenger hunt or our writing workshops, please see our FAQs. Happy Hunting!

This website is updated daily so please continue to check it frequently for updates.

ABOUT

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Welcome to the May 2022 Ealing Writing Trail; where celebrating creativity and wellbeing is at the heart of what we do!

What you can expect to enjoy in the month of May:

  •  A free scavenger hunt with prizes to be won; including a free yoga class, free manicures, a free bottomless brunch, and more!

  •  A wide-range of exciting writing workshops!

COMPETITION ANNOUNCEMENT!


Ealing Writing Trail is inviting you to enter our Map Competition with a chance to win a prize and appear in our online virtual exhibition. 

🌟The Theme is: Feeling Ealing. 


🌟The competition is open to two categories: 12-17 years old and adults.


🌟There is a prize for each category; which includes a voucher for one of Ealing’s most popular cafes: the one and only Cafe Zee! 


🌟Submit your work by 31 May 2022 to info@ealingwritingtrail.com with your name, email address, category, and your relationship to Ealing, i.e. if you live, work, or are a visitor etc. 

🌟What you need to do: Print out the downloadable map designed by artist and designer @lakshmi_skala 


🌟As you can see, Lakshmi has left sections of the map white so you can 
colour-it-yourself. 


🌟Simply colour the map in words or colours or even both that express how you feel about Ealing. You can be as COLOURFUL AND CREATIVE as you like. 
 

Winners will be notified by 03 June and the online virtual exhibition will take place on Sunday 05 June 2022.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK (09 – 15 May 2022)

Mental Health Awareness Week is fast approaching. The official theme this year is loneliness; and not only across the week but for the entire month of May, we encourage people to be open to using the scavenger hunt activity as a way of bonding with friends, family, colleagues and communities. Of course we highly recommend our writing workshops as well! 

We also believe the above are a wonderful way of engaging and exploring Ealing which has much to offer!  

We are pleased to announce yet another highlight! In collaboration with OPEN Ealing, and to kick start Mental Health Awareness Week, we will welcome a seminar on the health benefits of physical activity led by Dr Raj Chandok and Dr Shanker Vijayadeva.

We are delighted that also joining them will be Ealing IAPT – West London NHS Trust who will lead with a wellbeing workshop.

This event takes place on Monday 09 May 2022 between 12.30pm and 2.30pm at the OPEN Ealing Arts Centre in Dickens Yard. While this event is open to everyone, places are limited so please arrive promptly to avoid disappointment.

ABOUT
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All workshops are FREE to attend but places are limited so you are advised to register your interest early.

During the month of May 2022, there are a variety of exciting free writing workshops taking place in Ealing and online. These workshops welcome everyone with an interest in or curious about writing, and using words to foster connection, communication, and creativity, with the purpose of promoting emotional health and enjoyment.

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Our in-person writing workshops will take place at the OPEN Ealing Arts Centre, located at Dickens Yard, a vibrant new urban quarter in the heart of Ealing. A few of our writing workshops will also take place in other venues around Ealing as well so please do check the venue when making a booking. 

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We are thrilled to be offering online writing workshops too which you can attend from the comfort of your own home!

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Do not worry if you have not attended a writing workshop before. No formal creative or other writing experience is needed. All you need is an open mind, a notebook, a pen, and the willingness to give writing a go!

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How to Book a Workshop

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The Ealing Writing Trail brings together an exciting line up of writing workshops from fantastic creative practitioners in the arena of medical humanities, psychology, sociology, creative writing and many more!

You can book a workshop via Eventbrite using the links below. We understand that sometimes registering for an event is not always an easy process. So, if you would rather book by email please contact us at info@ealingwritingtrail.com stating the workshop date and time.

Please arrive 10 minutes prior to the workshop. If, for whatever reason you are unable to attend a writing workshop that you have booked, please let us know within 48 hours so that we can offer your place to someone else.

Unless otherwise stated, workshops are designed for individuals aged 18+.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR YOU TO KNOW

 

Our writing workshops are safe spaces to help promote creativity and wellbeing. We are incredibly fortunate to have received funding for workshops that would not otherwise be free. The care, safety, and dignity of our workshop leaders and attendees are of paramount importance; without it the very fabric of this initiative falls flat. We therefore operate on a zero-tolerance policy and ask you to respect and abide by the guidelines set by our expert-led facilitators. Failure to do so will result in us asking you to leave.

workshops

Day: Tuesday 3rd May 2022
Time: 2PM - 4PM (2 hours)
Venue:
Lammas Park + The Moon & Maybe 
Workshop Title: Five Ways To Wellbeing
Workshop Leaders: Artivate & Mary Burns 
Booking: Book Now

A collaborative wellbeing workshop looking at the benefits to our health of open spaces, new connections and increased creativity. We will begin with a gentle stroll in Lammas Park where we will talk about green spaces in general and the history of Lammas Park. We will also spend some time engaging in mindful drawing. Following this, we will then make our way to the Moon & Maybe coffee shop (10 minute walk) for a beverage and a writing workshop. Mary will begin the session, which will explore, through writing, reflection and sharing, the five ways to wellbeing; connect, be active, take notice, keep learning, and give, as developed by the New Economics Foundation. Our time together will give us an opportunity to  think about how we can incorporate these suggestions into our daily lives, leading to enhanced wellbeing.

Preparation: All you need is your notebook and pen as all drawing materials will be supplied to you by a representative of Artivate. While the workshop is free, any purchases made, i.e. hot drink etc. at the Moon & Maybe are at the attendees' cost. Attendees are asked to meet with the Artivate representative and Mary Burns at the Lammas Park gate at the junction of Elers Road and Culminton Road entrance at 1.50pm for a 2pm prompt start. The workshop leaders will be waving the bright and beautiful pink poster for the Ealing Writing Trail so you can't miss them!

 

Day: Sunday 8th May 2022
Time: 2PM - 4PM (2 hours)

Venue: Open Ealing 
Workshop Title: Writing to Exhale
Workshop Leader: Rasheda Ashanti Malcolm
Booking: Book Now

This workshop represents an opportunity to write your legacy; it is your time, your chance to tell a story any way you wish – through

prose, poetry, life writing or fiction.

It will also include creating your Writer's Mission Statement and you will be provided with a toolbox of ideas with which to continue your writing for wellbeing as well as exploring avenues of future creative support.

 

This session is your space for finding inspiration/motivation, and above all fun!

Day: Tuesday 10th May 2022
Time: 12:00PM - 1:30PM (90 minutes)

Venue: Online 
Workshop Title: Unexplored Paths
Workshop Leader: Dr Marc Boaz
Booking: Book Now

This creative writing workshop explores the real and imagined junctures in people’s lives. The paths we have walked down and the lives we have lived, and the unexplored paths that we have moved past and those that we can rediscover and remain open to us.

 

Using guided visualisations, drawing and writing experiments, the workshop explores our potential to examine our real or imagined unexplored and unknown paths.

 

Preparation: Participants are asked to bring paper, coloured pens or pencils if they wish. They can also use an online word programme for the writing exercises if they want.

Day: Wednesday 11th May 2022
Time: 12:00PM - 1:30PM (90 minutes)
Venue: 
Online 
Workshop Title: Building a story layer by layer
Workshop Leader: Nikki Dudley 
Booking: Book Now

Using photo prompts (that will be sent to attendees via email in advance) and layered activities to create and develop a short story in various ways, led by published writer, Nikki Dudley. By the end of the session, you should have at least one piece of fiction piece to take away with you. 

Important information for you to know: This session welcomes individuals aged 16+

Date: Sunday 15th May 2022
Time: 2PM - 4PM (2 hours)
Venue: 
OPEN Ealing 
Workshop Title: Visual Poetry-The Art of the Poetry Collage 
Workshop Leader: Dr Emma Filtness 
Booking: Book Now

In this two-hour practical workshop, we’ll explore the relationship between poetry and collage, creating new works from a curated selection of texts, images and paper ephemera. We’ll layer and juxtapose images, and excerpt and arrange fragments of texts, making a visual poem that is designed to be both seen and read. Whilst some tools and materials will be provided, participants are welcome to bring their own scissors, glue stick, and any paper-based materials they’re keen to work with and happy to cut up – old magazines, junk mail, copies of photographs, used envelopes etc.  

Day: Wednesday 18th May 2022
Time: 5.30PM - 7PM 

Venue: Ealing Cross (please report to ground floor reception)
Workshop Title: Write Without Pressure- How to start 
Journaling (An introduction)

Workshop Leader: Dr Poonam Madar
Booking: Book Now

This introductory workshop to journaling explores how you can build and develop a gentle, sustainable, and realistic journaling practice that works for you. Using guided multimedia writing prompts and different journaling techniques to get us started, we will explore the potential journey that we embark on when we begin a writing practice that is unique to us. If you have never journaled, find the idea intimidating, and / or have no idea where to start, this workshop is for you; and what is more, it is set in an enjoyable and relaxed environment. No more fear of the blank page!

Date: Sunday 22nd May 2022
Time: 11.30AM - 1PM (90 minutes)
Venue: 
OPEN Ealing 
Workshop Title: Poetry For Reflection 
Workshop Leader: Dr Gita Ralleigh 
Booking: Book Now

In Audre Lorde’s Poetry Is Not A Luxury, she speaks of poetry as the ‘quality of light by which we scrutinize our lives’. In this workshop we’ll use simple visual prompts, from pictures on our phones to the work of artists (provided), to write poetry as reflection, a way for us to elevate the quality of the light we shine upon our own lives. We will progress from simple forms such as the haiku and haibun to using template poems, in order to transform experience into words.  This workshop is suitable for those new to poetry as well.

Preparation: As well as a notebook and pen, attendees are invited to bring a selection of photographs on their phone. 

Important Information for you to know: This session welcomes individuals aged 16+

Date: Sunday 22nd May 2022
Time: 3PM - 5PM (2 hours )
Venue: 
OPEN Ealing 
Workshop Title: "Song-writing to Feel"
Workshop Leader: Austin James
Booking: Book Now

In this workshop we will cover some of the basics of song-writing to give you a few frameworks to write within, but we will also work towards finding your own process for writing music that connects emotionally with not only an audience, but with you.  If you can feel it, chances are that somebody else will too--and this is where the magic happens.

 

Preparation: Bring your favourite lyrics from a song that you like. A guitar will be on hand and we will leave room for performances if anyone is interested, but no pressure to share.

Day: Monday 23rd May 2022
Time: 1PM - 3PM (2 hours)
Venue:  
OPEN Ealing 
Workshop Title: How to Start Writing 
Workshop Leader: Tomek Mossakowski 
Booking: Book Now

This is a hands-on, pen-to-paper class, designed to get you writing. We all feel blocked at times - artistically, emotionally or mentally. We can be terrified of the blank page. Some of us dream of writing, but don’t know where or how to start. Using sensory prompts, some rules of writing, warm-up exercises and more, this class will help you free yourself, inside and on paper. The first step can be the hardest, but it’s a lot easier when it’s done together. 

Day: Wednesday 25th May 2022
Time: 5.30PM - 7PM (1.5 hours)
Venue: 
Podium 
Workshop Title: Wednesdays Women: The ART of Being You
Workshop Leader: Dr Poonam Madar 
Booking: Book Now

Preparations are well underway for the celebrations of Her Majesty, The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. In the lead up to the four-day ‘party’ weekend in June, let’s get the party started here and now in May by celebrating the Queen that is you.

 

Using guided music prompts, and experimenting with lyrics, this session invites you to come and play with words that will help you to tap in your inner ‘Queen-ness and express how you wear your crown. This is your space to rejoice in the ART of being YOU. If the music ends up making you dance instead of write that is fine too! If you enjoy listening to female empowering songs, this workshop is for you!

 

Important Information: This session is for females only, aged 16+ only.

Day: Thursday 26th May 2022
TIME. 11AM - 12:30PM (90 minutes)
VENUE.
Online 
Workshop Title: Hip Hop HEALS Self-Care Session
Workshop Leader: Kiran Bangerh now Manley
Booking: Book Now

Self-care is about making space for yourself to relax and look after yourself. In this session, we will do just that. Using words and music from Rap to Reggae and Dancehall to Drum and Bass as starting points for expression, we will explore a range of creative self-care techniques to get your own routine going. You do not have to be into Hip Hop at all. Some of the session outcomes include:

(1) Brain Dump: a technique to empty your head and refocus on the present; and

(2) Unsent letter: helps with reflection and tidying loose ends in life.

Whether its through writing or doodling or art, we want you to just do you! Choose your own path, based on what you enjoy. Spelling, grammar, writing, and artistic abilities are all unimportant.

Important Information for you to know: This workshop welcomes individuals aged 16+

Day: Sunday 29th May 2022
Time: 11:30AM - 1PM (90 minutes)
Venue: 
Online 
Workshop Title: Nature & Wellbeing - Writing the landscape
Workshop Leader: Dr Roshni Beeharry 
Booking: Book Now

In this online workshop, Roshni will take you on a virtual 'trail' to give you an opportunity to explore some key aspects of our landscapes through writing. Each 'stop' on the trail will represent a key aspect of our landscape and be represented by images and other media. You will be invited to write in response to related prompts at each 'stop', with opportunities to share your writing.

Preparation: Attendees are invited to bring one object from the natural world, e.g. from your garden/park/woods to use as a stimulus for a writing exercise. 

Day: Sunday 29th May 2022
Time: 11:30AM - 1PM (90 minutes)
Venue: 
OPEN Ealing 
Workshop Title: Writing What I Love About Ealing 
Workshop Leader: Grace Quansah (aka ‘Akuba’)
Booking: Book Now

Using various icebreakers, Q & A & other interactive approaches this young people’s/family centred workshop aims to create a safe space for aspiring, new, and seasoned young writers to network, find inspiration, see things from a different perspective, try something different and gain specialist advice. We plan to empower participants undertaking this session to create written and visual narratives for possible future publication.

Important Information: This workshop is for young people: 8 - 16 years; parents/carers & WAPPY volunteers welcome.

Preparation: Attendees are asked to bring one favourite item to this workshop.

Day: Sunday 29th May 2022
Time: 3.30PM - 5.30PM (2 hours)
Venue: 
OPEN Ealing 
Workshop Title: Project Collage
Workshop Leader: Kayleigh Cassidy
Booking: Book Now

Project Collage is a creative enterprise that encourages children and adults to express themselves through the mindful art of collage. Collage breaks the rules. It rips and sticks and makes viewers see things in a different way. Therefore, writing about collage can be a liberating process; encouraging us to see our words in a similar way. The workshop will include collage making activities which are used to unleash your imagination and let it go wild.

 

Adults will work with their children creating visual art pieces that explore chosen themes. There will be plenty of writing time. Attendees will use their collage as a stimulus for some free writing. This is an interactive, hands-on workshop which explores the power of art and collaboration. Materials will be supplied but if you have any magazines or paper or old birthday cards you’d like to bring along, the more random items the merrier. Remember to wear something you don’t mind getting messy. This session welcomes children aged 5+ who must be accompanied by an adult guardian.

Day: Monday 30th May 2022
Time: 12:30PM - 2.30PM (2 hours)
Venue: 
OPEN Ealing 
Workshop Title: Sound & Scribe
Workshop Leaders: I Run The Sound System & Dr Poonam Madar
Booking: Book Now

This sound and scribe workshop is a fully immersive experience where you are taken on a sound journey and have the opportunity to write about your embodied experience or creativity initiated from the journey.

 

The two hour session includes a 45 minute sound session followed by a period of rest and reflection. The scribe (writing) segment follows where you can write about the journey, moments of inspiration or the creativity that the session sparked. This session is a great workshop for those who want a unique experience to access their writing potential and want to explore and experience in a new way to reconnect reflect, and express.

 

Preparation: This is a fully embodied experience. Please bring a yoga mat. You can bring a blanket/jumper to keep warm and you can also bring an eye/sleep mask if you wish. We advise you to wear comfortable clothing. You will lie on the floor (or relax in a chair) and listen to sounds played with your eyes closed. Please note that this session is not suitable for people with noise sensitive epilepsy.

Meet the Facilatators
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Meet the Writers and Creative Practitioners

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Dr Gita Ralleigh

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Dr Gita Ralleigh is a poet, writer and NHS doctor born to Indian immigrant parents in London. She has been published by Wasafiri, Bellevue Literary Review, Magma Poetry, Under The Radar and The Rialto among others. She teaches creative writing to science undergraduates at Imperial College and has an MA in Creative Writing from Birkbeck and an MSc in Medical Humanities. Her debut poetry collection A Terrible Thing was published by Bad Betty Press in 2020 and her pamphlet Siren is forthcoming in 2022 from Broken Sleep Books. She is a member of the Kinara poetry collective.

Gita shares one of her favourite quotes with us:

The quality of light by which we scrutinize our lives has direct bearing upon the product which we live, and upon the changes which we hope to bring about through those lives.

--Audre Lorde Poetry Is Not a Luxury

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  • @marc_boaz

Dr Marc Boaz is an author and psychotherapist with a background in research, policy, and practice change. He is a visiting Professor in Public Mental Health at the University of Northampton, and a member of, and policy advisor to, the UK Trauma Council.

Marc shares one of his favourite quotes with us:

 

‘Experience is not what happens to a person. It is what a person does with what happens to them. Our experience is divided up into island universes. We jump from one to the other - there are no bridges. Because of their peculiar quality, we say that some of these experiences are more real, or at any rate more significant than others. But the others, nevertheless, continue to exist.’ Aldous Huxley [1933] 

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Grace Quansah

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Grace Quansah (aka ‘Akuba’) has been an educator for 34 years; currently a British Museum facilitator and TalentEd tutor, plus an author, editor, award-winning storyteller, poet, researcher, videographer, equalities officer, political activist and Director of WAPPY (www.wappy.org.uk).

 

Having founded WAPPY in 2008 to empower young and adult thinkers to use their written, visual and audio narratives to change the world, while also developing themselves, since the pandemic, it has built on local partnerships with libraries and schools. Published in twenty-four collections, Grace is passionate about education and creating community/intergenerational dialogue. She’s an Ealing Labour/Walpole candidate for the council elections May 2022.

 

Grace shares one of her favourite quotes with us:

 

“One child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world” – Malala Yousafzai.

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Tomek Mossakowski is a writer and professional baker living in Peckham. He was awarded a London Writers Award in 2022 for his YA novel, Ideal Me. His short stories have been published in The Moth, shortlisted for the Bridport Short Story Award two years in a row, and performed at Liars' League in London.

Tomek shares one of his favourite quotes with us: 

"There was another life that I might have had, but I am having this one." - Ishiguro 

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Kiran Manley, nee Bangerh

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I lost my older sister, Promila, in a car accident in 2000. After, I suffered a delayed traumatised grief reaction. I was a keen writer but experienced a creative block that lasted ten years. I trained as a secondary English teacher, and enjoyed a fruitful career in museum and gallery education. When my father died in 2010, I was in recovery from a delayed traumatised grief reaction and a breakdown. This is when I discovered therapeutic writing. My writer’s block came undone. I set up Hip Hop HEALS, a mental health project that tackles mental health inequalities in disadvantaged groups, particularly Minority Ethnic groups, young people and men. We deliver poetry therapy-style workshops in schools, probation centres, mental health units and homeless hostels. 

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Kiran shares one of her favourite quotes with us:

"Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere." - Albert Einstein

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Mary Burns

“Exploring words and offering support has always been at the heart of my work. Helping others discover the benefits of writing, whether for creative or therapeutic purposes brings these two strands together”.

Mary Burns is a person-centred counsellor with a special interest in creative writing for wellbeing. Since 2015 she has been using writing as a tool to enhance wellbeing with both individuals and groups.  She currently facilitate two weekly Writing for Well Being Groups. They provide a safe, nurturing, and non-judgemental space were participants come together to write, share, reflect and have fun... The groups may have therapeutic benefits but are not therapy groups.

She is a London Coordinator for Lapidus International (Writing for Wellbeing Organisation) and a member of the National Association of Writers in Education.

Mary shares one of her favourite quotes with us:

“Acceptance without judgement is the sweetest sensation in the world”, from I fly out with bright feathers." - Allegra Taylor.

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Nikki is managing editor of streetcake magazine and also runs the streetcake writing prize. Her pamphlet 'I'd better let you go' and collection 'Fanny B. Mine' are out with Beir Bua Press. She is the winner of the Virginia Prize 2020 and her second novel, Volta was published in May 2021.

Nikki shares one of her favourite quotes with us:

 

“The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn and change.” - Carl R. Rogers

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Dr Emma Filtness

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Emma Filtness (she/her) is a queer, disabled poet and lecturer in Creative Writing at Brunel University London. Her visual poem ‘Poison Garden’ was recently published by Osmosis Press, her pamphlet The Venus Atmosphere: Collage Poems is out now with Steel Incisors and her pamphlet Bandaged Dreams is forthcoming from Broken Sleep Books. Emma particularly enjoys exploring found and visual poetics.

 

Emma shares one of her favourite quotes with us:

 

"How can we combine the old words in new orders so that they survive, so that they create beauty, so that they tell the truth? That is the question." - Virginia Woolf

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Former editor-in-chief of Candace Magazine, and recipient of multiple awards, Rasheda is an Author, Novelist, Playwright, Journalist, Writing Coach and Radio Presenter, with a back ground in gender base violence and domestic abuse, and a passion for empowering women and girls creatively.

 

Her two novels, Swimming With Fishes, published in 2017 and had its audio rights bought out by Danish Publisher, Saga Egmont, and Love Again, published in 2020, was short-listed for the Romantic Novelist Association Award 2021, in the Inclusion Category.

 

Rasheda is the Founder and Director of the Hammersmith & Fulham Writers’ Festival, which host a short story and poetry competition for people aged 5 – adult. Her short story, Justice, was published in an anthology for young adults by Puffin in 2004 and her Play, ‘House of Women,’ was longlisted by the Bush and Angle Theatre Award in 2011 and is presently being developed by Stellar Theatre.

 

Rasheda shares one of her One favourite quotes with us:

 

“Write something worth reading or do something worth writing.” – Benjamin Franklin

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Dr Roshni Beeharry

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Roshni Beeharry is a Medical Educator, former NHS doctor, poet, short-form writer and Writing for Wellbeing & Personal Development facilitator. She has published internationally, including Litro online, Writers' Magazine, Kind of a Hurricane press, These are the Hands: voices of the NHS Poetry anthology, Atrium Press, The Wombwell Rainbow. Roshni was long listed for the Aeon Prize in 2012. She has performed at various open mic nights including as a finalist at both the Cuirt International Literary Festival Spoken Word competition, Country Galway, Ireland, 2018 and Jester to the Kingdom Humorous Verse competition, Country, Kerry, 2019.

Roshni shares one of her favourite quotes with us:

 

"If not now, when?" - Unknown 

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  • https://www.instagram.com/byaustinjames/

Austin is a singer-songwriter and digital nomad from Minnesota (USA) who has been writing, recording and performing music around the world for the past 4+ years.

 

After an almost seven year hiatus from playing music and multiple bouts of undiagnosed depression & anxiety, Austin found his way back to song-writing in 2017 out of necessity for his health and personal identity.

 

He has since used his original music as not only a method to express his emotions in a healthy way, but as a medium to connect with people as he wanders the globe.

 

Over the past two years Austin has recorded and released more than 20 songs, performed on stages in six countries, and shared countless emotional connections with complete strangers along the way.

 

Austin shares one of his favourite quotes with us:

 

“Men must live and create. Live to the point of tears.” - Albert Camus

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Kayleigh  Cassidy 

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Kayleigh Cassidy studied Creative Writing at Birkbeck and currently lives in London working as a primary school teacher. She recently won a London Writers Award for her memoir Tortoise. Her work has been published in TOKEN, 3:AM, Rollick, MIR Online, Visual Verse, Underground Overground and Erotoplasty. She was long listed for the MIR Folktale award in 2019 with her short story, Pomegranate and the Search for Summer and the DYSPLA Storymakers Residency 2022. Kayleigh uses art to explore her neurodiversity's: a platform for her queer expression. She loves the moon full, half or gibbous.

 

“Like a bird, on a wire. Like a drunk in the midnight I have tried in my way to be free.”

- Leonard Cohen

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Poonam is a writer and sociologist with a background in research, visual culture, and the sociology of emotions. She is the founder and creator of the Ealing Writing Trail.

Poonam’s research interests and expertise include the use of visual methods to explore themes of identity, culture, difference, and belonging. She is an Honorary Research Fellow at City, University of London.  

 

Through her own writing, Poonam explores the essentials of human existence: love, emotion, personal growth, and mortality. 

Poonam is a therapeutic and reflective writing practitioner. She is the Director of Community Engagement at Lapidus International. 

 

Poonam shares one of her favourite quotes with us:

 

"And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it." - Roald Dahl

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Dr Raj Chandok has worked in the Frontline NHS for 25 years and been the Lead GP at his practices for 20 years serving 13,000 Patients in Southall & Hayes.  

 

From 2012 – 2020, Raj served as Vice-Chair of NHS Ealing CCG, led on diabetes strategy in Ealing, published several peer reviewed research papers on diabetes strategy and integrated care, he played a leading part in the award winning North West London Diabetes programme.  

 

Raj holds a number of voluntary roles serving the local communities, and he is currently pursuing his academic research interests and working on a number of forthcoming publications.

 

He is a Fellow of the Royal College of General Practitioners and the Royal College of Physicians.

 

Raj shares one of his favourite quotes with us:

 

"Ad Finem Fidelis"

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Dr Shanker Vijayadeva 

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Dr Shanker Vijayadeva is a GP in Ealing with both Clinical and Management roles. He has an interest in Mental Health (BSc in Psychology) and is the Mental Health lead for the Ealing Borough for North West London CCG.

 

Recently he has become London’s GP lead for Digital First for the NHS. He was a shortlisted finalist for an EHI Award in 2011 for the “Best Use of Social Media in Healthcare.”

 

Shanker shares one of his favourite quotes with us:

 

“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards” – Soren Kierkegaard

Mental Health Awareness Week

SCAVENGER HUNT FAQs

What is the objective of the hunt?

 

To learn and have fun! A scavenger hunt is also a fun way to walk! And it can be even more fun if there are prizes to be won! Hunters who find all of our 13 clues and complete the scavenger hunt will be in with a chance to win prizes. Do check our website for news about the weekly prizes that can be won!

Where do I start?

 

Your hunt begins at OPEN Ealing Arts Centre; where you will receive a single clue on your smartphone. You need to solve this clue to find the location that will help you solve your next clue. There is also a downloadable map to make the hunt easier for you… after all, visual cues make the hunt all the more fun!

Important information for you to know about the QR Codes:

 

Throughout your scavenger hunt, you will be prompted to engage and explore Ealing with the themes of creativity and wellbeing in mind. That is why, when you scan a QR code, you will see more than just a clue: You will see a quote by a British Creative (alive or dead). Their words invite you to pause and reflect. You will also see a question prompt; which invites you to ponder about the creative that is You! And right under the question you will see your clue. Remember: The quotes and questions promote and celebrate creativity and wellbeing. Maybe you and the person next to you will be tempted to answer the questions...or maybe you prefer to skip them. Either way, it’s your choice. Do it your way!

What are the hours?

 

The usual hunting hours are:    

Monday – Saturday from 9.30AM – 5PM                     

Sunday from 11.30AM – 5PM

 

We offer email support at the following hours:

Monday – Saturday from 9.30AM – 5PM

Sunday from 11.30AM – 5PM 5PM

How long does the hunt take?

 

Our scavenger hunt takes between 1hr30m and 2hrs. In writing this scavenger hunt, we aimed for 1h30m.

 

Depending on your group, you might be a little faster or slower. The wonderful thing is that you can pause or take a break whenever you want. Of course the hunt might take you right up until 5pm if you stop in between for food and drinks…and why not, Ealing has a lot to offer!

Can I do a scavenger hunt solo?

Yes you can (except in the case of children, who must be accompanied by an adult guardian obviously)! Find the fun clues while also finding you. Of course it is also fun to do it as a first date, as a couple, with family and friends, or even as a team with your work colleagues. Many of us also enjoy exploring by ourselves. You’ll see the same sights and can go at your own pace—which sometimes is the best way. Happy hunting!

What if I do not complete the scavenger hunt?

You do not need to finish the scavenger hunt on the same day as you start it—it is best enjoyed at your pace. Besides, you can always come back the next day to complete it, or any other day in May.

Will my scavenger hunt be outside?

Pretty much! Our scavenger hunt involves mainly outdoor activities, but the clues are also placed near locations that you might be tempted to go inside to for a visit giving you more time to explore!

What if I cannot figure out a clue?

If you cannot figure out a clue, use the downloadable map. You may find the map is really useful as we understand that some of us prefer visual cues over more words. If you feel that you require additional assistance, consider doing a Google search of the key words (those in pink and in bold capital letters). Of course, you can always contact us by email and we will be ready to provide you additional support!  

How will I know if I have won a prize?

Hunters who find all 13 clues and complete the scavenger hunt are in with a chance to win one of our weekly prizes (one prize per group / party). Winner(s) will be contacted by email on Sunday evening of that week. The winner(s) will need to confirm receipt of the email within 24 hours of receiving the message and confirm the collection date of the prize (terms and conditions apply). Failure to confirm receipt of the email will result in the prize going to someone else! So be sure to check you spam folder just in case.

What type of phone can I use?

As long as you can open our website from your mobile device our system will allow you to play! There is no need to download an app as we have a web-based app.

FAQ's

WRITING WORKSHOPS FAQs

Do I have to live in Ealing to participate in the workshops? 

No. Some of the writing workshops take place in venues in Ealing (mostly the OPEN Ealing Arts Centre) and you do not need to be from Ealing to attend these (age restrictions apply so please check before you book). Some workshops also take place online – anyone is welcome to sign up to participate in the online workshops from the comfort of their own home.

Can I attend more than one workshop?

Yes you can. If a workshop is oversubscribed and you've booked onto multiple workshops, we may get in touch to ask you to offer one of your multiple spaces to someone on a waiting list. We feel that this is only fair given that we would like to give as many people the chance to attend one of our workshops with our fantastic workshop leaders. 

What if I have booked a workshop and cannot make it?

All bookings are made via Eventbrite. If, for whatever reason you are unable to make it, please let us know within 48 hours so that we can allocate your place to someone else.

Are any of the workshops BSL interpreted and/ or auto-captioned?

No, we are afraid not.

What access provision is in place?

Each workshop will be relaxed, and in the case of online workshops, you are welcome to either have your video on or off. At no point will you be made to feel that you need to share what you have written. Some workshops leaders may suggest a 10-15 break half-way through each workshop. Workshop outlines are provided on our website. If you have a specific access need, please contact info@ealingwritingtrail.com 

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