In community and wellbeing spaces across Derby, artists, educators and facilitators hold space for others every day offering room for creativity, connection, and healing. But who holds space for the practitioners?
That’s the question that brought us together on Sunday 20th July at Brailsford Methodist Church for The Art of Holding Space, a half-day workshop created especially for those working in community and creative practice. It was a gentle, powerful space for rest, reflection, and reconnection, offering creative tools and trauma-informed approaches for those who spend so much of their time supporting others.
The day opened with grounding rhythms from Chris Sylla, whose drumming circle invited us to settle into our bodies and the space. Some participants had never drummed before and left surprised at how deeply it helped calm their nervous systems and shift anxiety into rhythm.
Marie Hegarty from Scraggy Moo then introduced the principles of trauma-informed care, sharing practical and thoughtful ways we can shape safer, more responsive spaces for others — and for ourselves. One participant noted a key learning moment around using boundaries not as barriers, but as tools for care: a reminder that supporting others also means protecting the group from harm.
We closed with a slow stitching workshop I led, creating space to explore gentle creativity with hands and heart. Threads moved quietly through fabric as people reflected, shared, and simply breathed together in stillness — a chance to make something, slowly and softly, just for themselves.
The feedback from the day left me full of gratitude, not just for what was learned, but for what was felt and shared:
- “Today created space for healing and a sense of togetherness.”
- “I feel empowered. I’ve connected with others running similar work and feel more confident about trauma-informed practice.”
- “It reminded me that we are an incredible resource — full of compassion and skills. We need to connect more.”
- “I was able to reflect on my own needs, my boundaries, and my self-care as a facilitator.”
- “It was warm, supportive, and full of ideas. I’m taking this energy with me.”
Moving forward… Holding space for others is beautiful work, but it can also be heavy, complex, and isolating. Days like this are a reminder that we need each other just as much as our communities need us. We need space to reflect, to reconnect with ourselves, and to be in the company of others who understand the unspoken weight of this work.
I’m deeply grateful to everyone who showed up with open hearts and open hands. And I hope this is just the beginning, of more conversations, more collaborations, and more care for the carers.
If you were part of the day, thank you. If you weren’t, I hope we meet next time. Because the art of holding space isn’t something we do alone, it’s something we learn, share, and strengthen together.
Every Stitch A Story 