Week 3 of The Artist’s Way brought us into a conversation many creatives quietly carry but rarely name: anger, shame, and criticism. Together, we unpacked how these feelings show up in creative practice - the inner voices that question the work, the pressure to appear confident, and the shame that can follow when things feel uncertain. Rather than avoiding them, we made space to acknowledge them honestly.

In a world that often moves too fast to pause, poetry slows us down. It remembers. It speaks truth to power, advocates for social causes, and offers catharsis to a burdened populace, often all at once. This duality is what gives Poetry Slam Africa its lasting power and impact.

As the doors close this weekend on Joy Gregory: Catching Flies with Honey at Whitechapel Gallery, we find ourselves thinking not about what the exhibition says at first glance, but about what thoughts linger after having sat with the work.

Progress doesn’t always look loud or linear. Sometimes it looks like curiosity, so take a look at what opportunities could help you get your year started.

Hurricane Melissa was the strongest hurricane to hit Jamaica ever. With the overwhelming information provided through social media, it can be difficult to know where to direct your attention and support. We spent 10 days in the middle of December supporting Reconnect JA's efforts to connect British-Jamaicans with their Jamaican heritage and engage in community work - mostly targeted to post-hurricane relief. There is a surplus of community groups, initiatives, and individuals

In Week 2 of our Artist’s Way programme, the focus shifted from beginning safely to remembering who we are beneath expectation, fear and self-judgement. Facilitated by Elsie, the session explored identity as something we protect and return to, rather than reinvent. Through reflections on morning pages, letting go of limiting beliefs, self-regulation, boundaries and trust, participants shared how creativity is deeply tied to safety, attention and care.

In a world that often moves too fast to pause, poetry slows us down. It remembers. It speaks truth to power, advocates for social causes, and offers catharsis to a burdened populace, often all at once. This duality is what gives Poetry Slam Africa its lasting power and impact.

This reflection captures the opening weeks of our Artist’s Way programme, a collective return to creativity rooted in care, safety, and shared witnessing. Moving through Julia Cameron’s work together, participants explore creativity not as output, but as a spiritual and relational practice. A reminder that beginning gently is still beginning.