After the conference by Eirwen Malin

How hard can it be to start writing when I want to say something about voice?  Here I am with an opportunity to say what I want, knowing my words will be read, weighed, considered and respected, and yet I find myself hesitating, wanting to say something of worth, wanting to engage but unsure.  Voice is a complex mix of physical means, something to say, confidence to speak out and someone to hear what is said.
Most of the sessions I attended dealt with this mix:-
Jodie Allinson’s beautiful piece about finding her words after a stroke and honestly honouring her mother, whose words “fell further away” to re-find a genuine voice after stroke.
David Alderson’s True Cut brought in the element of where power lies in communications and how much courage it takes to speak out to power and how hard it is for power to hear.
Daniel Morden’s allegory of losing voice and finding it again.
Jac Saorsa talking of facilitating voices that weren’t heard
Carl Gough and Tony Evans actively demonstrating different physical manifestations of voicing the same story.
Personally in the performing of Sorting the Sock Drawer I was given the means to use the new voice I have found, to share what I have learned with others in full confidence that they were people who wanted to listen.  I know they listened because most came to me individually to make a comment.  It spurs me to take the performance to many more audiences and I will be working to do that.
Two days full of stories, many a tear shed, lots of laughter and fun and the sort of warmth and communication that makes me think of all the delegates as friends.  It was certainly something to build on and I’ll help if I can.
Thanks to all.