In 2017 at the 1st Storytelling for Health Conference 82% of delegates said they were making significant changes to their practice as a result of the conference
It really was mind and sock blowing (bamboo socks!) I think I will be digesting over the ideas, thoughts and information/learning for the rest of my life, but mostly feeling incredibly, life-affirmed that storytelling and health belong together.
I drag myself away from this conference exhausted, energised and well-fed – no conference sandwiches here! And importantly, I left knowing that patients rock!
It exceeded all my expectations - thank you.
I left Swansea with a lot to think about and a list of useful contacts, not to mention memories of some very powerful performances.
It was an amazing and well-planned event, I learnt so much and I really appreciated and enjoyed the opportunity to present my PhD research
It was a genuine privilege to be surrounded by such an inspiring group of people and it highlighted beautifully how far the pharmaceutical sector has to go to embrace the power of storytelling.
Loved the humour, positivity and passion for storytelling and health which ran through so many of the presentations. Wales seems to be incredibly vibrant and full of storytelling initiatives – inspiring to take away that ‘can do’ energy.
It was a great conference, really diverse and stimulating but equally supportive and welcoming. There was a great vibe and I heard lots of people talking about how it was great to see innovative and creative practices being showcased. It was an important event in many ways I think, not least to celebrate and mark out the relevance of storytelling and the arts in health but also showcasing ABMU and South Wales. It gives those of us working in this area a platform to spring from, which is encouraging and refreshing.
Thank you so much for all the thought that went into the event plus the collegiality of our session today.
I was so impressed with the programme, the calm organization of it all, the artistic richness of the performances and how so many contributors combined emotional and intellectual depth.
The opportunity to meet colleagues with shared interests and ethos from other disciplines was very fruitful and I am still processing conversations and overlaps
I think I've just managed to come down, to earth, after our amazing experience in Swansea. To say any more would dent in to the blog that i am to write for you, for me, for us!
On the morning of Friday 16th June, keynote speeches from Andrew Davies, from the Welsh Health Minister (Vaughan Gething - filmed), from Baroness Eluned Morgan and from Phil George all stirred me. It was enriching, uplifting and most of all system-shifting. I was present in the Swansea Bay area. I was humbly learning that this area was a shining beacon of care, health and wellbeing, a shining light of storytelling, arts and ultimately love. I feel more awakened, more alive. I note that I must take this back over the water, across the border to England. We badly need this caring loving ethos in England. One insight of the keynotes sticks out, “Storytelling is not just a ‘would like’ but a ‘need’” from Eluned Morgan. Another from the passionate Phil George challenged us to, “cause the weather to change.” This is not just a bottom up cultural awakening but a top down cultural shift too. I feel like writing, ‘Well done Wales’ but that could sound patronising… but, you know what, WELL DONE WALES.
Thanks so much for your fabulous event. My mind was buzzing with ideas when I left. One, which is a germ of an idea at the minute but I am keen to pursue, is Read for Good providing storytelling training to paediatric nurses, mental health specialists working with children and young people and play staff in hospitals. This came out of a conversation Amanda and I had with Jess who has said she will offer advice around the project too and we have such a wealth of expertise with our 11 storytellers.