Collective Storymaking

Often sessions can be themed. We start with a stimulus – an image, some props, a sound effect, a smell – and from that we create a story together. The story is written down by the facilitator as it unfolds, with contributions being made by all participating. It is then told back to the group at the end of the session.

You can read and listen to some examples of the stories below:

The Cruise 

Did you bring the bathing costumes?

It’s rather foggy

But I can just about make out the ruggedness

Of Scottish mountains

Some islands,

And flying haggis.

I hear the bagpipes

And seagulls

And smell whiskey 

And heather -

Hope for the future.

As we sail onwards, we stop off at Clacton

With its buckets and spades

And ice cream;

With its kippers and whelks,

Jellied eels and cockles,

Tourists and fish and chips

And its ‘little stick of Clacton Rock’.

The queen enjoys fish and chips, 

Didn’t you know?

Oh yes. 

On a Wednesday.

Next stop: la bella Italia!

I have never been there

And I like the sound of it

I like the sound of the mischievousness

The history

The vino rosso

Garlic pizza

And (sung) Hear my song, Violetta

The Queen usually bypasses Italy, 

Didn’t you know?

Enjoying it from a quiet distance…

(sung) Just one cornetto, give it to me…’ 

Next stop: the Caribbean 

Where there’s coconut and rum

Pina colada

Pineapples and bananas

Mangoes and palm trees

Fish

Chicken and rice

Hot spicy food

Like curried goat

With plenty of chillies

Makes your hair go curly!

Onwards, south eastwards

Across sea and yet more sea

To the land of the crocodiles,

Dolphins and kookaburras,

Wallabies

Kangaroos

And (sung) Waltzing Mathilda.

You need Factor 50

Slip slap slop

Flip flops and T-shirts

It’s very hot and sunny

Makes your hair go very curly

The food is delicious

Much better than English

‘Recommendations?’ asks the Queen

‘Captain, I think your name is missing a letter – 

There should be a ‘t’ after the ‘S’

Stinkalot’.

Lift the anchor! On to our final destination -

Heaven.

Takes 70 years to get there 

Three score years and ten

It says so in the book.

I don’t think they’ll let me in

I wonder if there’ll be more women than men?

We’ll all be one kind I think

Which is a bit unfair

Makes life less interesting

It’s going to be a massive hotel

With no bankers - 

Unless they have something to give away

I’m hoping the weather will be good

Probably won’t have to worry about the weather 

I’d like it to be peaceful

No more competition

It’ll be beautiful

Heaven is whatever you want it to be

It’s different for me than for you 

I’d like to see my mum and dad there

And Jesus, of course

I’ve talked to him all my life, you know

It’ll be just like continuing a conversation

I’d ask him “Why me? Why choose me?”

Maybe he’d say “I haven’t chosen you, you chose me”.

It’ll look like a smoky room, all smoggy, 

Where everything is nice and bouncy

And you can lie down and get perfect peace

Roll on heaven – let’s have a rest.

The Washing Line

A pair of knickers

Long johns - nice and warm

A bra – ooh – pretty, pretty

Holey red tights

A dicky bow

A colourful tie 

Odd socks

Could these belong to a husband and wife?

He wouldn’t wear the stockings… 

Although you don’t always know these days

Smart striped trousers – very nice

Ooh, wow - a sparkly long dress

Ladidaaa

Someone tall would wear that

This is like being a detective!

Oh dear! That jacket looks a bit trampy

Maybe it belongs to some down-and-out

It needs an iron

The sleeves are a disgrace

And look at the stains on the lining!

Whoever’s clothes these are

They definitely have no fashion sense

Here’s a single sock with an in-built garter

Reminds me of Malvolio

Never seen anything like it

Is it a one-legged person’s?

Here’s a bit like...a neckerchief

Or a cravat

It’s a bit old fashioned

But then we’re all old fashioned

Well look at us, I dare you

Speak for yourself

I’m not old fashioned

I’m up-to-date

And young at heart

Here’s a skirt

Army and navy

An old battle axe might have worn that

A beautiful gown

Very elegant, hand stitched

Look at the buttons on it

To wear to a dance 

Is it Egyptian?

I think someone with a lot of money lives here, with this washing line,

Someone who’s not fussy 

An odd couple, very eccentric

British, or maybe Irish

Harold and Felicity

And their two children John and Sally

By the looks of it, they could do with some friends

I’d like to meet them

Out of curiosity

They might be very nice people

I can tell you something, though -

Right now…. they’re all walking round with nothing on!

Responses to a painting of a distant figure in a boat 

I see a man in a boat

Actually, no, I think it’s a woman

I think she’s trying to get home before the storm

Or to that place in the distance -

The island.

The clouds are coming down to her 

I wouldn’t want to be there

I’d want to be on the shore

I can’t swim. 

The sky looks angry

It looks sort of thundery

Is it Pitville Lake?

I think it’s the Sea of Galilea

It could be anywhere really

She’s rowing

I think she’s fishing – 

For salmon

For cod

For sea carp – salty.

She’s fishing for something big

To take it home and cook it

You never know really who for

I think she’s catching the fish for herself

She’s coming this way 

To escape that lot

She wants to be on her own

To find some peace

She’s chosen a calm day

I’d call this ‘Tranquillity’

Or could it be 

‘The Calm before the Storm’?