Heather Testimonial

To Whom it may concern,

I have been fortunate enough to have participated in three writing workshops presented by Lee Taylor-Friend. I found them to be very inspiring and useful as an amateur writer, and also supportive and beneficial as a carer and mental health client.

Lee effortlessly creates a safe environment where the workshop attendees can experience powerful breakthroughs through the freedom of making words their friends and tools. She is adept at unlocking the ability to express oneself through writing, with a modesty and compassion that speaks of years of experience and understanding of peoples varying inhibitions and challenging mental states.

The workshop I was part of at Carerfest was particularly enlightening, as every student was a carer for somebody frail or disabled. We were very different individuals with a common link, and Lee enabled us to comfortably share and explore this link and make connections that stay with us to this day. I sat next to a woman who was not only a carer for a child with OCD, but had OCD herself. Her condition centred around words and lists, and she felt that words were her enemies in a way. The process of the workshop and Lee’s gentle and intelligent drawing out of our inner selves allowed this woman to learn about herself, write a poem, and then present her poem live on a stage in front of ninety Carerfest guests and staff – a huge and very brave achievement that the woman likened to being better than three years of therapy! There was not a dry eye in the house as she read out her work in a surprisingly confident and professional manner, and she slayed a number of inner demons by being given the courage to use words to her advantage.

Lee’s workshops are ostensibly about writing and the fact that everyone has their own unique story to tell, but they also subtly encompass psychology, philosophy and some very valuable life lessons. The direction her teaching takes is shaped by the students, as I have observed by attending these in different communities. It takes a lot of skill and understanding to be so adaptable, and to make each student feel that they have something worthwhile to offer and say.

My writing quality and self-understanding have been moved forward exponentially by what I have learned from Lee, as have the other workshop attendees that I have maintained contact with.

I would not hesitate to recommend Lee’s workshops to any potential employer – they will get more than they bargained for in a very positive and healing way.

Regards,

Heather