Life Story Writing: Helen’s Experience
Our Living Well Centre have introduced a new one-to-one session called ‘Life Stories’, where visitors are supported and given the opportunity to reflect on their lives by creating a personal booklet on their life story.
Rowans Living Well Services focus on offering guidance and support to those affected by a life-limiting and progressive illness. Our team aim to ensure that people can still live their lives well through a variety of activities, and give them the opportunity to meet new people.
For many, it can be difficult to talk openly about how they feel with family and friends. Spending time with a nurse, or with others who share similar experiences can be a comforting way to open-up, reflect, share stories and experiences.
Helen’s Story
Helen, one of our service users, is currently creating her Life Story Book. She shared about how much writing her story means to her and the confidence she has gained from attending our Living Well Services. Helen is living with multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disease, and was hesitant about attending the Living Well Centre when she began living on her own. However, she said; “Coming here I think is the best thing I’ve ever done”.
Reflecting on the Life Story book process, Helen said:
“She (nurse) said it’s about doing my life story…. I didn’t want to do that sort of thing, or I thought I would do it, but I won’t show anyone… but it’s made me talk to people”
In her Life Story, Helen explores and talks about different events and memories, including where she used to live, her childhood home and even before she was born, saying; “It gave us lots to talk about and think about… and how different life could be”.
Creating a Life Story Book takes place across a few hourly sessions, with a member of our Living Well Services Team who will support and guide and through the process. There is no pressure to include everything discussed, each person has full control over what is shared, edited, or included, ensuring their story feels truly personal.
Helen has now even shared her book with others;
“I’ve spoken to people about my book… they say they feel privileged to have read my book… and they say it’s just amazing.”
Creating your Life Story is a wonderful way to show people a glimpse into your life, reflect about life achievements and experiences.
Being able to write everything down in her own way was exactly what Helen wanted;
“I know what I’ve done, and what I achieved, and to have that book, it’s lovely that it is all about me and my life”
Create your Life Story
Your Life Story Book can be created at your own pace, and more chapters can always be added into your story to include everything that you want to.
If you would like to know more information on our Life Stories, please contact a member of our Living Well Services team on 02392 248011 or via email on LWC@rowanshospice.co.uk.
