Grief and Collaborative Storytelling: The Colours of Loss

Figures & data

Table 1. Outline of the workshop structure.

Introductions Facilitators introduce themselves, how they are feeling and their roles in the process. If they like, they can share a little about their own experiences of grief and what drew them to facilitating the workshop. They remind participants that they can take a break or leave the workshop at any time, and that there is a supportive person available to speak to them in a separate room if they like. They explain that the workshop recordings will be used to form an audio story. They clarify that participants and facilitators will all work together to co-create a fictional story inspired by thoughts and emotions they have experienced; however, there is no need to include personal details about their grief story (although they can if they like). Participants are invited to introduce themselves and how they are feeling. If they wish, they can also say something about their grief experiences or the person who died.

Warm-up game The group plays a word game, building a story one word at a time.

Co-creating the Story World-building: The group works together to imagine the world of a fictional village or town. What is this place? What does it look like and what is it like to live there? Where is the tree located in the village or town and what is it like? What role does it play in the community? What does it represent to people? Creating characters: The group begins to create their characters. They might like to choose from cards with suggestions of character traits or types (e.g., huntsman/healer), or they can make up something entirely new. They spend about five minutes writing about their character and their relationship with the tree, either on their own or in pairs/small groups. Everyone then returns to the group to share their ideas and explore how the different characters know each other and interact. If they like, they can share their writing with the group. Optional reading: The group reads an extract from a piece of published writing about grief, such as Max Porter’s Grief is the Thing with Feathers (2015). Writing about loss: Individually, co-creators spend about ten minutes writing about their character’s experiences of the tree dying. They can describe the tree dying, or focus on an emotional response (which could consider one or more feelings, such as shock, denial or disbelief, anger, guilt, sadness etc., which are written on cards and placed on the table). Co-creators can write in whatever form they choose: some might like to write a letter to the tree or to someone else, while others try poetry or another writing style. If they like, co-creators can share their writing with the group. After the loss: The group discusses what to do with the tree now it has died, and how their relationship with it has changed or stayed the same. What will happen to the wood after it is cut down? What happens to the space where the tree grew? How will it be remembered?

Reflections The group reflects on the story they have created; what it revealed to them; and how it made them feel. They might also discuss why they chose their character; how they felt about the other characters; and how they would describe the community as a whole. The group also talks about how they think the audio piece should sound and feel.

Debrief The group is given some time to decompress after the recording has been turned off. Participants are given a sheet of resources and places to find support.

Table 2. Demographic Characteristics of Focus Group Participants.

Assigned pseudonym	Age category	Gender	Type of bereavement
Claire	25–34	Woman	Parent and sibling
Fiona	35–44	Woman	Grandparent
Jenny	55–64	Woman	Parent
Lizzie	18–24	Woman	Grandparent
Rosa	25–34	Woman	Multiple bereavements
Ruth	18–24	Woman	Multiple bereavements
Stella	25–34	Woman	Parent
Tim	55–64	Man	Parent

Table 3. Focus Group Topic Guide.

What made you want to volunteer for the workshop? How did you find speaking to and collaborating with other bereaved people? What was it like to work with a group of people on a story about grief? What did you enjoy about it? What did you find difficult or didn’t work for you? Did creating a story about loss connect you with your own experiences of grief? (If yes, then ask follow-up questions) in what way? How did it feel to engage with your own grief through a story Did the workshop have any impact on your mental health or emotional wellbeing? (If yes: explore what impact) Were there any benefits of attending the workshop? Were there any negative effects of attending the workshop? Has the workshop impacted how you think or talk about grief? Have you talked about the workshop with anyone else? Will you want your friends and family to listen to the finished audio piece? Did you learn anything new about grief from attending the workshops? Had you tried to engage with your grief creatively before the workshop? Might you try other creative activities in future? Is there anything else you would like to say?