Sharing Stories Project overcomes Lockdown to tackle loneliness and isolation

Despite challenges of lockdown and social distancing the first comic of our Community Lottery funded project Sharing Stories is complete!

The Sharing Stories project’s goal is to help women facing loneliness and isolation in Norwich and surrounding area through working as teams of comic creators.

The 20 page comic, Sharing Stories: issue #1, was produced in partnership with ArtAtWork CIC by women attending their weekly Art & Wellbeing sessions.

Stuart Paterson at sharing stories comic workshop

One of the attendees, Alison, had to say about the project:

“To start with the thought of making a comic was totally out of my comfort zone, but as Stuart explained things as the weeks went by I began to somewhat understand some of the process…

In the end our little group (as we were separated into different groups) we got a theme going and it became exciting wondering what the next week involved.”

Holly Sandiford, Project Coordinator at ArtAtWork CIC, said:

“The sessions were a real success in terms of skills, confidence, and wellbeing. It was a completely new experience for the group and the way that it was meticulously planned and structured meant that everyone was able to participate fully without feeling daunted.

One participant is non-verbal and autistic and a big comic lover and I have never seen her enjoy a session so much. It is great to be able to offer these opportunities to people who otherwise wouldn’t engage in the comic world.”

More Sharing Stories are in the pipeline working with other partner organisations.

Download a digital copy of this and other Essential Sequential Now