Brendan took part in a writing workshop in Perth. Here, he tells us more about this and shares his poems with us.
Perth writers’ workshop
I was given the opportunity to go to a writers’ workshop in Perth. The hosts of the group were Professors from Oxford University. They taught us about different forms of writing. One of the methods they taught us was flash poetry. I had not heard of it before. Basically the way of it was to write as few words as possible while having a lot of impact. I enjoyed it and wrote this:
I met a girl at the station. We kissed and then got married. I should have just shook hands and left her at the station.
A selection of Brendan’s writing
The Multitude of Mankind
The multitude of mankind
Striving for immortality
As if she who is will pay no heed
To this progress of humanity
With their toxic waste through nuclear fusion
Acid rain from air pollution
And superior brains with no solution
Time has come for her absolution
But what forces can she bring to battle
Man ignores her sabre rattle
No more thunder
No more lightning
Man is far too ignorant
Too easily frightened
What has she left to aid her plight
Something else to ease this blight
Maybe ice will cool their ardour
No, not this time
She’ll try much harder
What of plague
It worked before
No not this time
They know much more
What of flood without a warning
No, man’s too adept to fall for drowning
She’s very wise this mother of earth
She’ll utilise patience to ensure their death.
The Politician
Life plays like a bad game of chance
The winners applauded
Embrace all with their thanks
And carry on regardless
Their self-image to enhance
These political people
You will not know first hand
You’ll have heard much of their rhetoric
Which you don’t understand
But as these are the people
Who help run our land
You’ll applaud like the rest
When they dictate from the stand
Don’t question our plans
When we send you to war
Just do as you’re told
Isn’t that what you’re for
Spiral into Madness
Free from your embrace
Loneliness to follow
Cast off and aloof
In self-pity I wallow
What am I looking for
Searching for answers
I don’t have the questions for
These misgivings persist
Devil sent
Even in sleep
My soul to torment
Life is so simple
I should be content
But no peace for me
Was ever meant
Unless of course
It’s heaven sent
Catch 22
We are all immobilised
Confined to a system
Which society has improvised
In order to assist them
The young citizen is mollified
Delusions of grandeur
Their parents more civilised
Conditioned the longer
The people not satisfied
Accept with a grumble
The conditions most certified
To ensure they stay humble
The classless are ostracised
Alienated all the more
By a system that has authorised
Deprivation to their door
The criminals are traumatized
Affected by their maker
Imprisoned and ratified
Authority’s best hater
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This year, Future Pathways will be offering peer support sessions. Mary, our Peer Support Lead, tells us more about it.
What is Peer Support?
‘Peer Support’ is a way of connecting with people who have gone through similar things in life. People can come together to socialise, learn and share things that have helped them get through the hard times. The special thing about Peer Support is that everyone is equal and understands each other, because they have been through something similar.
Peer Support can happen in a lot of different ways like social groups, education sessions, one-to-one catch ups or with a mentor. Peer Support is not about fixing problems. It is about being with other people who understand you, and feeling heard and accepted. Everyone gets something out of the relationship and feels connected.
Why are we introducing Peer Support at Future Pathways?
We know from feedback that people registered with Future Pathways would like Peer Support. So, we are now taking steps to make that happen.
Peer Support can help people feel less alone and more hopeful about the future. It can be nice to spend time with people who have been through what you have. And it can help people feel part of a community
What will Peer Support be like at Future Pathways?
To start with, Future Pathways will offer monthly Peer Support groups – both online and in person across the UK. Sometimes it will be a social coffee and a chat. Other times, we will get guest speakers in to teach us something we are interested in.
There is never any pressure to share your lived experience when you come to a Peer Support group. It is just about spending time with each other, connecting, meeting new people and building supportive relationships
Next steps
The first groups will be starting in the next few months. You can let me know your ideas about what is important to you in Peer Support, what you would like to do or learn, and where we should run our groups. I am also happy to answer any questions or talk more about what
Peer Support is. You can:
- email me at peer-support@future-pathways.co.uk
- phone me on 07552 393 019
When the plan is confirmed, we will send information to everyone registered with Future Pathways (including those on the waitlist). We will also share information on our website, in our newsletter and on social media.